LIBRARY OF^GNGRESS. 

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Shelf .WlE-f- 

rMTKI> STATES OF AMERICA. 










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EDEN DELL, 



LovE's Wanderings, 

AND OTHER POEMS. 



V 

BY GEO. W. WARDER. 



"All things beautiful and tender 
Summer bloom, and sunset skies, 
Wear alone their Eden splendor 
In the light of loving eyes." 

Hathaway. 

" One divine caress, 
One blessed moment of forgetf ulness 
I've found within those arms, and that shall lie 
Shrined in my souls deep memory till I die." 
Moore. 



i{ .;.•., z^^^ /^'^ 



KANSAS CriA- : 

PRESS OK RAMSEY, MII.LETT & HUDSON. 
1878. 



PS 31^^ 



I 7i.<eavc a chaplet from the years 

All fashioned hy the hand of Fate, 
I read a lesson from the spheres 
Whose mission is to mier luait 
That God hath -unitten on time's page 
That ACTION is the huo of life. 
And man from youth to hoary age 
A li-i'ing struggle UHirm with strife. 



(ui>Yitii.ini:i> ls78, hy 

(;f.( h<(;i w. w akdi'.r 



THIS VOLUME IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED, BY THE 
AUTHOR TO HIS SAINTED WIFE. THE CHARM OF WHOSE 
GRACE AND CHARACTER, THE NOBILITY AND LOVELINESS OF WHOSE 
LIFE, IS ENSHRINED IN HIS HEART, AND HALLOWED IN HIS MEMORY. 
WHOSE ANXIOUS SOLICITUDE, AND UNSELFISH DEVOTION FOR THE 
WELFARE OF OTHERS MADE HER THE IMPERSONATION OF LOVE 
AND DUTY, AND THE SYNONYM OF TRUTH AND GOOD- 
NESS. THROUGH HER UNTIMELY LOSS HE FEELS 
THAT LIFE IS UNSATISFYING, YOUTH A DELUSION, 
MIDDLE AGE A STRUGGLE, AND OLD AGE A 
REGRET. TO PRESERVE SOME HAL- 
LOWED MEMORIES THIS BOOK IS 
PUBLISHED : FOR THE PAST 
HATH ITS MEMORIES, THE 

PRESENT ITS DUTIES, 
THE FUTURE HATH HOPE, 
WHICH LOOKS UP TO 
THE STARS, AS 
THE GOLDEN 
STEPPING STONES 
ALONG THE PATHWAY OF 
IMMORTALITY, WHERE THE IS- 
LANDS OF THE BLESSED SMILE IN / 
PERENNIAL BEAUTY, AND OUR LOVED k 
SHALL GREET US ON THE BLISSFUL 
SHORES OF THE DEATHLESS ETERNITIES. 



In all Cod '.f million stuny spheres, 

Stand forth no truer, n older peers 

Than God's image -wrapt in hopes and fears 

A 7i<orthy man, a Un<ely 70oman. 
From satilite to central sun, 
From angels lost to heavens -won, 
God ne'er hath Ident t-wo hearts as one 
So near di-'ine, so grandly human. 

God '.r loill : man should not dwell alone. 
But woman's worth and beauty inon. 
And elimh up to her hn'e, as to a throne : 

His heart's best true rrangel. 
He found that nature, ease and ati. 
Were not enough to nobly start. 
The true soul fires, but " sad the heati 
That kninos no earthly angel." 

The gentle faith, the noble woiih. 
Of one beUn'ed o'er all the earth. 
With graceful charm sat at his heaiih ; 
His sweetest dearest dream of hea-'en. 

V'hv truthful merit could he sing. 
He'd seek the harp and angel 'wing. 
Of Un'c^s lost je^oel heaven could britt};. 

The cherub from thy bosom n'-'cn. 



CONTENTS. 



HEART THROBS. 

MY SAINTED WIFE 

KISS OUR DARLING AND COME AWAY . 
I TURN ANOTHER LEAF OF TIME . . . 

OUR LOVED AND LOST 

A DISTANT VIEW 

SLEEP, DEATH AND OBLIVION . . . . 
MIND 



15 

22 
24 
28 



LOVE 2>^ 



EDEN DELL, OR LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 

CANTO I — THE PARTING 

" II — FOREWARNED, A PROPHECY .... 

" III — FOUL PLAY BENEATH THE STARS . 

" IV — RETRIBUTION. OR THE VIGILANTES 

" V RECOVERED A SCENE OF JEALOUSY 

" VI AMBUSHED A SAD DISCOVERY . . 

" VII A RIVAL AND A FRAUD .... 

" \'III^rHE CAP'l'IVES, 

" IX — HIDDEN VALLEY — AT THE STAKE . 

" X — THE AGED CHIEF. — A LEGEND . . , 

" XI — THE RESCUE AND THE RED PALADINS 

" XII — WHAT SHADOWS WE ARE — A EUROPEAN T 

" XIII — WHAT SHADOWS WE PURSUE W^RECKEI) 

" XIV A RETURN A FAREWELI 

" XV .MISFORTUNES A DIGRESSION 

" XVI THREE FRIENDS HAVE MET A(;AL\ . . . 



47 
56 
69 
75 
84 

97 
104 

115 
122 
130 
139 
147 
165 
182 
194 
205 



CONTENTS. 



CANTO XVII — ITOI'IAN DKKAMS AM) I.OTIS LEAVES .... 214 

Will — TRIED ITKIFIEI) A COINCTDENT 226 

\IX — TWO SCE.NES A.ND A CHAPTER 239 

\X — MOr.NTAI.N MEADOW MASSACRE 259 

\XI — THE SI'ANISH MAID — AN EPISODE 27 I 

WII — THE WEDDINt; — EDEN REBLILT 2<)0 

WANWAkI) 1AN( lES. 

TWO STRANGER (iL'ESTS 305 

A I.F.C.END OF THE DEI.r(;E 32O 



|(K)'l- PRINTS A.\I) SHADOWS. 



WOMAN 

TO VIK(;iNIA — REMEMBRANCE 

TO ET'HE, the ROSEBID OF THE HILLSIDE 
h I UK, IHE ROSEBID, HAS PERISHED . . 
I.ASI WiJRDS OF STONEWALL JACKSON . , 
DEATH OF GENERAL J. C. BRECKINRIDGE 

CENTENNIAL THANKS 

HIE DAY COMETH, ALSO HIE NIGHT. . . 

THE PAST AND FITIRE 

THE minstrel's FAREW ELI 



.^29 

332 

334 
33^ 
341 
344 
347 
349 
353 




HEART THROBS, 



PVf live for love in xvhole or part. 

The inspiration of all Art 

Is loi>e. ' Tis labor's best reward: 
The alchemy of joy ; life's lord : 

Earth'' s only heaven from abai'e. 

To those that live a smile oj loz'e 
Is like the laurel to the brave, 
Worth countless garlands on their grave. 

Think not hrve's labor e'er 7vas lost. 

It built creation -without cost 

'To frugal man, and named him lord : 
T'was hate brought strife and dark discord 

And God will wipe love's sinless tears : 

Like truth, she hath eternal rears. 



MY SAINTED WIFE. 

Thou angel of my better world, 
Where joy and peace her flag unfurled 
Beside my hearth ! Thou love impearled 

Upon my life ! 
Deep where the heart throbs rise and swell, 
i feel the witchery and the spell 
Of thy fair face I loved so well — 

My darling wife. 

The magic of thy lovely smile 
The very angels would beguile, 
And thrill their golden harps awhile 

With sweeter life. 
So tender, loving, true and kind, 
So faithful, gentle and refined 
Each impulse of thy heart and mind — 

My noble wife. 

Can I forget the charm and grace 
Of loveliness that stamped thy face. 



10 



iiiiAirr rniioiiS. 

And ( rouned tlicc noblest of thy race, 

In dcatli or life ? 
Can I forget thy faith and trust 
In God and Heaven? And can or must 
1 deem this providence wise or just — 

My angel wife '. 

All silent as the voiceless night. 

With folded hands on breast of white, 

In pallid shroud I O God, the sight '. 

No pulse of breath. 
As white as snows on mountain crest, 
The cross o{ llowers upon thy breast, 
Thy weary, helpless hands are i)ressed 

Cold, cold in death. 

O rise and stay ! Go not away '. 
God sent thee on thy bridal day 
To be my angel 'mid earth's fra> — 

My love, my life. 
O: one more smile my grief to 'suage, 
One word of love upon life's i)age, 
'i'o ( heer me to decrepid age— 

From thee, my wife '. 

I kissed the forehead, cold and fair. 
I smoothed the glossy braids of hair. 
I bowed my soul in anguished prayer, 
Th;U she miuht li\e. 



HEART THROBS. 11 

'' O spare my precious, noble wife, 
My patient martyr weak from strife ; 
Restore the angel of my life — 
Give back ! O give ! " 

Alas too late ! too late ! too late ! 
I've felt the dreaded hand of fate, 
I can but mourn and sigh and wait — 

My sainted wife. 
Beside her cherub boy we laid 
Her form to rest beneath the shade. 
Where dust is heaped with silent spade — 

The close of life. 

As slowly sifts life's ebbing sand, 

On memory's hights I gaze and stand. 

And reach to grasp thy vanished hand— 

My angel wife. 
Farewell ! I cannot count the cost 
Of what I've suffered, loved and lost, 
I drift a barque, lone, tempest-tossed 

The sea of life. 

Thy love hath cheered me on thus far 

As fair and perfect as a star, 

Which naught on earth could change or mar, 

The solace of my life. 
But life is short. Soon on that shore 
Where Stygian waves are crossed no more 



12 HEART r If HOBS. 

I'll greet the angel I adore — 
My sainted wife. 

Beyond where flows the restless tide 
Of earthly grief, and joy and pride, 
Thee and thy angel boy beside — 

'rhou sleepest well. 
lUit where life's changeful billows toss 
Thy balje and I must mourn thy loss ; 
Must taste what pain, and bear what cross- 
But (iod can tell. 

Kre passed thy life another came, 
A fledgling fair, to bear thy name 
And wear thy pure, unsullied fame, 

I j)ray and trust. 
For her, for thee, with sad refrain, 
With sighing harp to soothe my j)ain 
I'd link thy life without a stain, 

To fame most just. 

I fear not what may be my lot. 

My name may rest unknown, Ajrgot, 

But thine unsullied with a sj)ot 

Of fault or blame. 
Should li\c renewed in heart and brain, 
A consec rated shade and fane 
Wherever love and duty reiun. 

( )r trutli Ikis name. 



HEART THROBS. 13 



KISS OUR DARLING AND COxME AWAY, 

Dead ! Our darling is dead, dear wife, 
His angel spirit has heavenward fled ; 
His little feet will no longer tread 
The rugged paths of this sorrowing life. 

Kiss his forehead of marble clay, 

Kiss our darhng and come away. 

Fair was his lovely form, dear wife, 

Bright and sunny his cherub face ; 

See what a dimple the angels did trace. 

When they kissed him first on the shores of life. 
Kiss him again, for only to-day 
Can you kiss our darling and come away. 

Sweet was his lovely smile, dear wife. 
Mild and beaming his eyes of blue ; 
Fair as the sun, when on diamonds of dew 
He climbs the morn of a new waking life. 
Kiss our darling — this form is but clay, 
The casket is left, but the jewel's away. 

The casket is left — even it will not stay 
So perfectly chiseled, so white and so fair ; 



14 11 EMIT TJinoP.S. 

Sure death cannot si)oil so jjerfect a prayer, 
And beauty'll unnerve the dark hand of decay. 

O, fair dimpled hands ! how sweetly ye lay ! 

Folded forever, dear wife come away. 

, The jewel's departed — tlie mystery of soul. 
Borne swift through nebulous mists afar, 
Rejoices an angel ui)on a bright star, 
Where dark tides of sorrow and death ne\ er roll. 
''Come, fairest floweret,'' the Savior did say, 
"Where frosts wither not and storms never stray." 

" Dear wife, look up to the isles of tiie blest, 
Where joyous and happy his spirit hath fled. 
Though the form it may moulder, the soul is not dead, 
Hut j)ass'd to its home of bliss and sweet rest. 
Weep not so bitterly, know that to-day 
Thy darling's in heaven, so, wife, come away." 

The jjarents they turned from their Nweet, dead child, 
And all earth seemed so dreary and cold. 
It held not a treasure, their arms ( ouhl enfold. 
So dear as the (harm of his fair angel smile. 
O, kiss him, anil tear yt)ur sad hearts away, 
A fair little form seeks its chamber of i lay. 



HEART THROBS, 15 



I TURN ANOTHER LEAF OF TIME. 

The sun, wrapt in his mantle red, 

Sinks down behind the crimson West, 
The moon comes from her orient bed. 

With silver dripping from her crest ; 
The stars peep through the vault of night, 

Like distant hopes that come to cheer 
The wanderer with new beams of light 

From some unknown and brighter sphere. 

The night is fair, the air is chill, 

A snowy mantle from the skies 
Enwraps the earth, so white and still, 

It seems a robe of paradise. 
The heaven bends down her starry vault. 

Like memory weeping o'er a grave 
Where vanished souls, like stars, are set. 

And dreaming of a voice to save. 

I, musing, turn a leaf of time 
Here in the twilight of the year. 

While listening to the solemn chime 
Of memories sadder than a tear ; 



16 iir.Mrr riinons. 

I gaze toward the golden heights 
Of far-off isles, beyond the shore, 

And kiss again, in fancy's flights. 
The face that I shall see no more. • 

The spring brought forth a tender bloom. 

That summer kissed with fragrant breath, 
lUit ah ! the autumn drai)ed his tomb. 

And winter was the (hill of death. 
As seasons swiftly follow each, 

So death i)ursues the steps of lite. 
And nature hath a silent speech — 

The soul that thinks is full of strife. 

" Wc live, we die." Is that the end 

Of our immortal longings here? 
And can this little senten( e penned 

Sum u}) life's heart-ache and its cheer ? 
Oan joy tread on the heels of grief. 

Can sorrow lift the troubled soul. 
And bid death turn another leaf 

When time has folded u]) its scroll? 

Love's jewels gathered in our arms, 

Our loved, that have been, shall lhe\- be ? 

Sure souls have their immortal (harms, 
.'\nd there's a time when we shall see; 

1 span the sjku e from now till llun. 
.And. in the \ ision of ihe nund. 



HEART THROBS. 17 

I lift the vail of human ken, 

To find the blind but lead the blind. 

Yet, in my dreams of grief and love, 

A hope looms like a mountain grand, 
Where, from its Pisgah heights above, 

I view another promised land. 
I catch a glimpse of sun-lit truth 

Beyond where constellations shine, 
Where souls shall taste the fount of youth. 

Sprung from the breast of love divine. 

This leaf of time, so sadly turned, 

Is moist with many a falling tear ; 
These solemn lessons, deeply learned. 

Are written on the vanished year ; 
And, gazing on its checkered page, 

The scenes that were come not again. 
Unless fond memory bring them up 

To stir another sea of pain. 

A streamlet from the lake divine 

Burst forth within the vale below ; 
Fresh from the hand of God it smiled 

And laughed beneath the sunrise glow. 
I marked it oft, I loved it well, 

Its sunny, glowing smile to me 
Was sweeter than the joyous swell 

Of music ri])]jling o'er the sea. 



18 lIKMiT THROBS. 

It was a well-spring of bright love 

That l)iil)l)led through the shadowed vale, 
And caught the sunlight from above, 

Where joy could spread her buoyant sail. 
But on a golden summer eve 

A shadow fell, — I watched, I feared. 
And while my soul was bent with grief, 

The golden streamlet disapj)eared. 

I wrestled with a hopeless strife — 

Pain set her mark upon my soul, — 
F'or death had stole a bud of life 

That time can never more unfold. 
Now climbing slow the hills of fiiith 

I see the golden streamlet run, 
Heyond the heights that girt the vale. 

And smile beneath a brighter sun. 

It sifted through the golden sands, 

'Twas |)urged from all the dross of earth ; 
Heyond the vale where sorrow stands, 

It dwells a fount of fatleless worth. 
And yet I know the mists will rise 

Before the dawn, beyond the night. 
When I shall know to love is wi>e. 

.AfTection is all true dcligiu. 

I've markc-d the bounds of |)leasure's flight. 
I've ( ounted merit o'er and o'er. 



HEART THROBS. 19 

The wise may reason wrong or right, 

The fool may hoard his paltry store, 
But God has set the seal of fate. 

True wealth is only of the soul, 
And they who dote on earth's estate 

Must taste where bitter waters roll. 

I am not what I will to be, 

I reach to grasp a higher aim, 
To climb the sun-lit heights and see 

The hopes and promises I claim. 
I gird my soul with strong resolve 

To bear the griefs that time shall cost, 
And trust the ages will evolve 

That love, true love, is never lost. 

I muse upon that long ago 

I tore an image from my breast, 
And now the heart that's sad and sore 

Must fold another love to rest. 
And still I dream that yet, that yet, 

The hopes that are beyond recall. 
We'll see where suns shall never set 

And sorrow's shadows never fall. 

O, little darling ! wast thou sent 

To lead us to the God above? 
For where thy angel spirit went 

There is the heaven of our love. 



II EMIT T I mo lis. 

If e'er within the golden gate 

I wander by the crystal sea, 
O, shall I meet thee, know thy fate ? 

Else would it be a heaven to me ? 

Thy only mark upon earth's breast 

Sleej)s in the pallid, cold moonlight ; 
A little grave with snow-robed crest 

That peers into the void of night. 
It holds the bright and laughing eyes. 

The dimpled cheeks that I have kissed. 
The angel face I loved to prize. 

The cherub form so long we'\c missed. 

But not thy stainless spirit ? no. 

I ask where, whither has it tlown? 
From star to star, from sun U) sun. 

Until it reached its Maker's throne? 
A voice from out the ages spoke 

From where the burning suns are fed, 
"(iird u]) lh\ loins, go forth in hope. 

The li\ing ycl shall see their dead.'' 

O soul ! () har|) of thousand stringsl 
(Jft hath a \ani.shed finger swej)l 

Thy wondrous chords ; and angel wings 
Have rustled in thy listening sleej). 

Where silence was unuttered thought, 
That to the hungry sjjirit given, 



HEART THROBS. 21 



The melodies of earth were caught 

And blended with the dream of heaven. 



O yearning memories, sad and grand 1 
Prophetic of a time to be. 

wanderer on a lonely strand 
That gazes o'er a boundless sea! 

Know many souls in all the past 

Have dreamt lo\-e opes all doors and bars 
Beyond the sun-set shores at last, 

Where islands glitter like the stars. 

How many leaves the book of time 

Shall open to my future view, 
How many hills of strife to climb 

I know not, wish not now I knew. 

1 gather up new hope and trust 

As soldiers cloak their martial forms. 
And face the future that I must, 
In faith abide the coming storms. 



22 HE ART TIIKoJiS. 



OUR I.()\'i:i) AM) LOST. 

Is there no hriglu, unfading (lime. 

Beyond this world of severed ties, 
To fill the wants that mock in time. 

And dry the tears from sorrow's eyes? 
Where blast of winter never blows, 

And endless s})ring brings deathless flowers 
Where we may see the face of those 

We lo\ ed in this sad world of ours ? 

Is there no pure, immortal si)here 

Beyond this realm of fleeting time, 
Where hoi)es and fears that mock us here 

Will blossom into bliss sublime? 
Where ceasless joys on angel's wing, 

With golden harj)S shall chase the hours. 
And wr shall hear the dear ones sing 

Who loved us in this world of ours. 

The summers bloom, the autumns fade. 
And winters blow along our way, 

And uiid earth's changing light and shade 
Are memories of those passed away. 

They ( ome amid our griefs and j)ain, 

I -ike songs we'\e heard in days gone b) , 



HEART THROBS. 23 

Whose murmurs, like the distant main, 
Grow loudest when the storms are nigh. 

Bright laurels fade and honors rust. 

And oft our barque is tempest-tossed, 
And willows wave above the dust 

Of those whom we have loved and lost. 
Yet, in our bright and saddest dream, 

Their silent forms we often see, 
Like shadows floating o'er time's stream. 

Cast from the vast eternity. 

The flowers of springtime in their turn 

Bloom in fresh beauty o'er the lea, 
And brightest, stars that set, return, 

And view their faces in the sea. 
Beyond the sunset and the night. 

Where pain and sorrow has no power, 
Our loved and lost shall greet our sight 

When we close life's transient hour. 

There is a fair, perennial world. 

Where hopes and joys that mock us here 
Will lift their banners high unfurled 

To music of that blissful sphere. 
And there our souls with rapture greet, 

'Mid anthems of bright rolling hours, 
With folded wings in converse sweet, 

Those we loved in this world ours. 



24 IJEAUT TirnOBS. 



A DISTANT \1K\V. 

Mcthought iijion lime's farthest verge, 

\\'ilhin the range of countless worlds, 
I saw the ceaseless ages surge, 

And suns like mazy snowflakes whirled 
And, standing on the farthest star 

That decks creation's realms so wide, 
1 viewed the rolling earth afar 

In all its pomp of death and pride. 

I saw it s])in through realms of s\Kue 

And circle lleetly round the sun. 
And changing seasons (juickl)- chase 

Each other o'er the path she run. 
l)i|)l)ed half in darkness, half in light, 

.As whirling on her poles she flew, 
I'ill, lessening, as a bird in flight. 

She faded from my wistful view. 

'•It was the vast Eternity,"' 

1. musing, said, and thought I knew, 
That drank her in its shoreless sea. 

As o( ean drinks a drop of dew. 



HEART THROBS. 25 

Methought is this the soHd earth 

On which I trod with joyous feet, 
And was it spoken into birth 

To fade with worlds my vision greet ? 

Is man the creature of an hour, 

An insect of a summer day. 
Decked with the gaudy show of power, 

And wrapped with pride that sinks to clay? 
Is that his home, his life, his all, 

Where, with the bubbling toys of time. 
He feebly treads a crusted ball, 

Nor looks, nor soars to worlds sublime ? 

O man, with crouching spaniel heart 1 

With lust of wealth and bounded brain, 
Is there no high and noble art 

To ease the "world's immortal pain?" 
When viewed from o'er the realms of space. 

Passion's candle dimmed, and on the shelf. 
How groveling seems that noble race 

Smote by the " dark disease of self" 

Man's soul is like the rolling world, 
Dipped half in darkness, half in light, 

And each with maddening sj^eed is whirled 
To brightest day or darkest night. 

One view has gladness and the sun. 
One darkness and the somber dream, 

3 



lifi II EMIT TirnniiS. 

And passion marks the course they run. 
And life is Hke a tiirl)id stream. 

Strong passions lose their power to please. 

Joy sickening, drops her sweetest charm. 
Nor balmy sleejj the bosoms ease 

Where grief has showed its power to liarm. 
Oblivion sweei)s not o'er the j)ast, 

And memory oft times has a sting. 
Affection's jewels will not last, 

And hope sometimes forgets to sing. 

*' What, then, is earth, and what is man?" 

I ask, in gloomy thought and jjride, 
As on the viewless star I stand. 

And view the countless worlds so wide. 
Sure, it is but a meteor bright 

'I'hat shoots awhile through ether clear, 
And man upon it sinks from sight 

As earth drinks uj) a falling tear. 

A lofty scorn 1 dared to cast 

On human passions, hopes and fears, 
Because afar the world had past ; 

1 stood beyond the rolling \ ears. 
lUii humbled is my gloomy i)ride : 

\\ ilh bended head I hide my grief, 
Nor seek to mock time's rolling tide, 

Nor scorn life's Heeling years so brief. 



HEART THROBS. 

Contentment is the home we need, 

VVirh will to work and patient wait. 
And faith will give us wings of speed, 

And hope will sweeten cruel fate, 
And love will bring us golden bliss, 

And heal the bleeding wounds of earth 
And in a fairer world than this 

Well bloom in bright and endless birth, 

A prisoner in earth's wintry waste, 

I'll find enough of fleeting breath 
To plume time's wing with gende haste, 

Nor fear the hungry eyes of death. 
I'll think and soar on fearless wing 

While others grovel in the dust. 
And faith will tune the song I sing — 

In God and Heaven shall be my trust. 



■"^^'^f'jr'- 



28 iii:.\irr riinoiis. 



SLKKP, I)1:A TH AND olU.IXlON. 

Sleep, that smooths the rugged brow of care, 

That fans with zephyrs from an angel's wing, 
That o'er the mind, with softness of the balmy air. 

Does her dark mantle of deej) silence fling — 
That (hecks the heated flow of burning thought. 

And cools it with the waters from a mossy spring. 
Until it drinks the shadows that are brought, 

And fades into the twilight that itssoothings bring — 
Sleep, that wraps the world in darkness dim and deep. 

Vet, all unseen, and felt alone in that wc feel it not : 
All else has something of a touch, but balmy sleej) 

It steals our senses, and wc know it not. 

W'c walk like si)ectres through its silent shades. 

Nor feel its spongy soil beneath our tread; 
lUil the closing daylight and the darkness fades. 

And by oblivion's fabled waters we are led. 
\ et oft we journey through its dreamy land, 

.\s though it were a world of motion and of light, 
And in its \ isions, jov and sorrow lake our hand, 

.\s though our mind looked through the doors of sight. 
It is the soothing balm and solace of a restless world. 

W iii( h else would roll in madness and despair. 



HEART THROBS. 29 

Men would pray for it, as for the sun if hurled 
From his bright chariot in the fields of air. 

This angel sleep, that brings us sweet repose, 

That blunts the edge of grief, and from heaven unfurled 
Lets down our loved ones, silent uprose, 

And led me down into its lower world. 
When lo I I stood beside a silent creeping stream, 

That through a land of gloomy twilight stole ; 
Its sombre cliffs stood deep and dark in dream. 

The stream slid on, nor did its drowsy waters roll. 
But ghded smooth, unruffled as the flowing oil. 

And slipped 'twixt gloomy cliffs, with dismal crest. 
On which stood pines unvexed by breeze; and on its soil 

The poppies droop — the winds were folded on its breast. 

" Is this oblivion's stream? I asked of sleep. 

Are these the waters of the fabled Lethe ? 
And o'er whate'er they darkly sweep 

The past is lost and buried far beneath — 
Where sweet or sad forgetfulness is found, 

Where men who've searched in near and distant lands 
And after treading restless earth around, 

Have lifted here their pale, beseeching hands. 
And found forgetfulness? " But sleep silent stood. 

With eyes still closed, and then I asked again, 
''And why should men forget? Is there some blood 

That cries from earth, like Abel's 'gainst a Cain? 



.'^0 iniAirr rrrnojis. 

Is Lethe tlie fabled fiiiicv of a fe\erish l)rain. 

Invented, when the gory hand of cruel deeds 
Was shaken in man's face by victims slain — 

When remorse, like a Milture, on his memory feeds?" 
I>iit methought sure sleej) gives peace and rest, 

And for a time forgetful ness. And then I look. 
And lo I the earth was lying in slee]j's breast, 

As a sick, moaning child whom peace and rest forsook. 
'• Have men drank jjoison, and can sleep no more ? 

Is it the restless longings of the soul, or cares of life, 
The sting of conscience, or proud thoughts that soar? 

Must man e'en in his dreams mix in hot strife? 

Then, wheie's forgetfulness ?" with anxious heart 

Again I asked, that I may bring it to the ui)i>er earth ; 
That it may still life's i)angs, and soothe pain's smart ; 

That men may dwell in peace, with (piiet mirth. 
W^hen lo I I saw. but just beyond, a stream. 

Whose dark and (hilly gloom did make me start, 
■'rwasdeej) and narrow, and o'er it light nor shadows gleam, 

.So dark the gloom ; and cold, as if from heart 
Of more than thousand icebergs. I knew 'twas death. 

I saw the grim, wan ferryman, with his shadow boat. 
Like spectres glide, freighted with uiortaTs breath — 

With silent oars and deathly stillness did it lb)at. 

Methought, here man is your obli\ion of life. 
This narrow stream will wa^h out all vour fears, 



HEABT THROBS. 31 

Your loves and joys and dark and restless strife. 

Here you'll forget earth's pains, and toils, and tears. 
Methinks I've learned this in sleep's shadowy deep, 

These silent streams are not so far apart, 
And death may have its dreams like sleep. 

Sleep stills the mind, death stills the heart — 
They are twin brothers. One, lasts in time; 

The other, we know not how long it lasts ; 
But each locks up our senses in an unknown clime — 

The one builds up the body that the other blasts. 

Sleep, death and oblivion, are things that mock; 

Sleep, in dreams; death and oblivion, in the grave; 
And yet we are not mocked. We only walk 

Amid realities that bind us like a slave. 
Sleep soothes and cheers; death grimly reaps and slays. 

It makes earth but a tomb — its house of revelry; 
It stalks amid life's dark and brightest ways 

And takes its vicdms. All are 'neath its slavery. 
With chilling frosts it nips life's brightest flowers, 

And with pale faces and a gasp they go. 
And vaguely trust to bloom 'neath other bowers, 

Where death's grim hand will never blast them so. 



'A-2 JIKAJrr TIinoBS. 



MINI). 

Hail, invi.sil)le spirit I immortal essence of Di\ init\ , 

Creative breath that breathed upon cold, sluggish clay. 
And every atom felt the warm and thrilling touch of in- 
ward Deity — 

A central, all-per\ading ])resence, a l)right and glowing 
ray 
Of heaven-sent light, and hope, and joy, and swelling life, 

That thrills and trembles through its conscious being, 
Like the tremulous silver of the sea in gentle strife 

That waves and sparkles in the sun and breeze. 

(iod breathed on clay and man became a living s(jid. 

'Tis God in man — a sjjark struck from omnis( ient life. 
That, radiating from its central source, does warm the 
whole. 
And give new tou( h and feeling to unconscious dust ; 
To the dull habiliments that wrap its \iewless form. 

And down receding time does hold its lite aiul j)()wer. 
Its essence fadeless, and its being indestructible as the 
breath 
Of Deity that gave il birth, and smiled upon its natal 
hour. 



HEART THROBS. 33 

Incomprehensible, yet comprehending more than aught 
besides ; 
Viewless as the shifting air, yet viewing things visible 
and unseen ; 
Swayed by volitions that surge through all its depths like 
tides ; 
Whispering intuitions, feeling thoughts, and weighing 
what they mean. 
Like -Deity, a viewless eternal spirit, yet not like it unborn 
And uncreated. Thou wast created by the Uncreated, 
And wrapt in finite dust— mortal in all through which 
thou manifests thyself. 
Yet feeling an inborn power, an endless birth, progres- 
sive and imperishable. 

That spark once struck from Deity — breathed from His 
breath — 
That made one living man, divisible, yet unimpaired. 
Has thrown off other sparks of vitalizing breath. 

Until that uncreated creating breath has brought forth 
millions, 
Peopled nations, and the realm of spirits beyond the 
stream of death. 
God made but two; it was enough to people endless 
worlds 
Ne'er trod by living feet, or swept by wing of soaring 
spirits. 
Through all the cycles of immeasurable duration as they 
ceaseless whirl. 



•U HEART Til ROUS. 

The casket of decay that w rajjs this fadeless gem, 

Like soHd siihstance all, does perish with the use, 
AikI weighs this essence tlown. like monarchs head is 
bowed by diadem: 

And shackles it like slave ( ondemned to toil beneath a 
heavy chain, 
So that it cannot soar to whence it came — and soon 

Must go — to viewless realms where spirits rei!j:n. 
Yet warm and glowing, as the sun at noon. 

It makes this casket thrill with intense joy or ]jain. 

And from its living centre wildly sweep 

Bright burning thoughts, sensations soft or sharp, 
That tremble on the nerves with feeling deep. 

Until they ciuiver at its touch, like strings uj)on a harj), 
And sweet or saddest music swells through all the chambers 

Of this wondrous mechanism of creative ]jower. 
And wcar^ it till it can not hoUl its j)anting prisoner. 

Then takes its flight, and leaves it as a ruined tower — 

Crumbling and lime-worn to fall and moulder to decay — 

Lone aii<l silent, desertetl by its lordly guest. 
That once upon a checkered summer day 

Did tread its joyous halls, then with beautv blest. 
The link once broken or severed b\' time's rust. 

That binds the iuunortal to its ''mortal coil'' — 
That strange, connecting link between mind and dust, 

No hand can forge again the brittle link by sc icn( e, art 
or toil ? 



HEART THROBS. 35 

Though ch:)thed upon, and shackled down, yet still 

It soars through all the doors of thought and sense, 
And sees, and hears, and action does its dwelHng fill ; 

It sweeps far out into the realm of other worlds; 
It looks on matter with a calculating eye ; 

It weighs it — treads amid the stars that glitter as they 
whirl — 
Measures the all-dazzling sun that sweeps above the vault- 
' ed sky. 
With all its retinue of worlds that circle round it as 
they fly. 

It tracks the comet as it shoots upon its burning course ; 
It sails through space upon the wings of air, and by a tire- 
less force — 
A magic sweep of fancy's touch it views bright scenes far o'er 
the deep. 
By subtle power it traces matter to its elemental source, 
Nor knows its bounds, but seeks o'er all the universe and 
time to leap. 
Like its Father Spirit it moves on chaos, and it turns to 
light ; 
It smiles upon the world, and life and joy like flowers spring 
up, 
And matter feels its subtle essence, and morning dawns 
above the night. 

"Tis part of Deity, and as immortal as its creative God. 
Death is but a shadow 'cross its path of destiny. 



86 in: ART Til ROBS. 

'I'o tlic soul there is no grave; the tomb can n(jt grasp its 
viewless form ; 
Earth is but its birth-place — the cradle of its infancy — 
Where it drops its cumbrous \vrai)i^ings for the wings of im- 
mortality, 
'i'imc. the \estibule of eternity, is where it ])oints its 
course, and takes its leap 
Into the vast unknown, toward the Infinite and Internal, and 
sweeps 
Out upon its endless progression in knowledge and perfec- 
tion through immensity of worlds. 

This tiling invisible is greater than the visible, the unseen 
than the seen ; 
\'ou cannot nail it to the cross, or puncture it with a spear. 
It can soar untrammeled, where matter ne'er has been. 

Once created, ne'er uncreated, in lime, eternity, far or 
near ; 
It must exist. The creative will that kindled it to birth 
Can ne'er blast its glowing life, nor <iuen(h it in the ocean 
of His wrath; 
The distant stars may fall, and nations perish from the earth; 
World upon worlds may \anish from their glowing path ; 

Man may sink to dust, and all the li\ ing moulder in the 
tomb; 

Time and eternity may perish in their onward flight : 
Ivirth may melt, the sun may (rumble into s})ecks of gloom, 

And darkness wrap tiie universe in chaos, dcatli and night; 



HEART THROBS. 



Yet the thinking part, the soul eternal, the quenchless mind, 
Shall live in endless life, undimmed by age and death. 

And in the far-reaching, ceaseless ages, still shall find, 
It has a self-existent life, beyond time's fleeting breath. 




38 iiEAirr riiiKnis. 



LOVK. 

Could I but mould the vault on high. 
I'd blazon Love upon the sky. 

Imprint it on the dazzling sun, 

And every life when first begun. 
I\)ur it a song through coming years 
P>lent with the music of the spheres, 

A voice to keep the worlds from strife, 

The i)oetry of joy and life. 

Love gives our lives a ri( her health, 
Love adds unto our souls new wealth. 
It steps into the heart, when lo: 
New streams of joy begin to flow. 
We see more wealth in one bright eye 
Than in the proud and jeweled sky 
Of golden stars; than in the deej) 
Ri( h bosom of the sea where sleep 
The continents of glittering pearl. 
And the lost riches of a workl. 

Man may his warmth of nature liide. 
And (hill it \\\\.\\ a freezing i)ride. 



HEART THROBS. 39 

Erase from life affections port, 

Be traffics ship, ambitions sport, 
Yet in his secret soul will smile 
Affection's sun, love's starry isle ; 

Where he will wander when the soul 

Is sad with strife and sorrows roll. 
There love will ope the doors and bars 
To isles that ghtter like the stars. 

Love is the home-land of the soul, 
Beyond where glowing planets roll ; 

Beyond the stars and central sun, 

Beyond where blazing comets run. 
Where mind is lost in vvhirling space, 
It doth its golden pathway trace 

To the throne of the Infinite; where 

It soars in bliss, and bows in prayer. 
Its magic touch builds brighter domes 
Than greatness, or the greed that roams 

For gold. Ambition's lofty pride, 

Bold, Ci^sar-like may sternly stride 
Across the rubicon of love, 
And spurn its joys. May look above 

Its trampled bliss, and march ahead 

On steeds with bridles dripping red. 
Till on a pyramid of bones 
A throne is made of all the thrones. 

But on that dizzy sceptered hight 

The heart will shrivel with the blight 



40 HKART TIIllOBS. 

Of desolation, drear and dark. 

Be sorrow's tomb, and envy's mark. 

Love doth the fairest castles build. 
Affection's gems doth deck and guild 
Its ] mortals. There fancy's wing 
Oft soars for new-found joys to bring 
Into its temple. The mind is but 
Its messenger to ope and shut 

The door of reason. The hands that toil 
The feet that swiftly tread the soil 
Obey its bidding. Memory holds 
Her treasured stores to glad unfold 
Their fairness, and to fondly bless 
Its idols with a sweet caress. 
Intelligence — that electric fire. 
Is but the lightning 'long the wire 
Of its embodied hojjes. The heart 
Is but the battery wIkmk e they start. 

She is the fair enchantress of the earth. 
Whose wizard touch gives joy to birth. 

The sun-light, star-light of the soul. 

The nionar( h of the tides that roll 

From beings' center to its pole. 
The i)ivot turning night to day 
Heaven smiling on the darkest way. 

'{'he essence of all warnuh and light ; 

Wliile // <r/ /■(•(/ '\s the gloom of niglit. 



HEART THROBS. 41 

The chaos of an unborn earth 

Till love hath spoke it into birth. 

The deluge that hath drowned the world 
In blood, nor built an ark. But hurled 

On life and time a thousand woes, 

The curse of strife and death's repose. 

Love doth not seek to fly 

To glittering hights where Fame sits high, 

And breaths her zephyrs of applause, 

And weaves her laurels. Her cause 
Though hope may seek fame's nectared bowl 
Is not distinction. The yearnings of the soul 

Are deep and strong. Her joys doth loom 

The brightest 'mid affections bloom. 
There the heart pantings and its sob. 
Are stilled by joys fame oft doth rob 

Joys drowned 'mid clamorous strife ; 

But all of life's not made of strife ; 
Silence is strong. Though tempests roll 
There'll come a lull — a quiet to the soul. 

Then turned from fame and greed of hire 

'Twill feel affection's central fire, 
Volcanic like, lift far above 
The peerless monuments of love. 

Lift like an isle amid the sea, 

An eden where the soul may flee ; 
The only eden earth can bring, 
Where bliss can smile, and joy can sing. 



42 iiEAirr rum his. 

There on Love's azure hights are built 
Bright castle domes of gold and gilt, 
That glisten when the morn's begun — 
A sapjjhire blaze at set of sun. 
Where georgeous tinted rain-bows loom, 
And fairest flowers of beauty bloom, 
'Neath rosy morns and trancjuil noons, 
'Neath mellow suns, and laughing moons. 
Where angels come. Their wings of light, 
Like diamonds (juivering in the sight. 
And in its portals like a ([ueen. 
Love sits enchantress of the scene. 
Waves lier mild scejjter and the while. 
Smiles care away with but a smile. 

She rules, but witii a golden chain, 
No galling yoke brings grief or i)ain ; 
Hut music swells the arches high, 
And rii)i)]es through the starry sky, 
And beings brighter than the light, 
.And angels come and go in flight, 
From starry worlds, to starry hight ; 
.\ntl i)lant a ladder on earth's sod. 
In foot-prints where Redeemer trod, 
ihat reaching up doth rest on (iod. 
Where sweet as harp of thousand strings, 
The soul is musit on bright wings. 
And treads that ladder to its hight, 
Wlu( h ends in endless |)erfe<t Light. 



HEART THROBS. 43 

Love is God's master builder, who 
Rears fairer fabrics than doth strew 

Ambitions plains. They may not rise 

To dizzy hights to dazzle eyes, — 
But bask like fragrant summer isles 
'Neath golden suns, where pleasure smiles 

'Mid flowers. Where enchanting seas 

Ripple with entrancing melodies, 
Enrapturing to the listening ears, 
As music of harmonious spheres. 

Where Syren songs are heard and sung, 

And rich ambrosial fruit is hung, 
'Neath nectared vines, and blissful bowers 
Of sweet existence strewn with flowers. 

The heaven of all the heavens above — 

The God of all the gods — is Love. 

Then sad, " O sad the heart that hath 
No earthly angel ?" And that hath 

Not heard the melody of love 

In human voice. A music 'bove 
All earthly — more charmingly divine 
Than Syren's song, or Circe's wine. 

Than Amphion's lute, or Orphean lyre, 
Whose strings thrilled with Promethean fire; 
Apollo's harp of beauty rare, 
Strung with his threads of golden hair ; 

Or where /Eolia's wind-swept band 



44 IIEAUT THROBS. 

Finds softer touch than human hand,— 
The Hfe of Hfe, the soul of glee— 
The essence of all melody. 

It is the joy of all the past, 
Life's first bright dream, bright to the last. 
The light of Hope— the bliss to be ; 
The fruit of that once tasted tree 
Of Eden life's perennial joy. 
That sin and death could not destroy; 
Whose sweetness in its faded bloom 
Is still exhaustless through the gloom 
Of centuries. The sword of fire, 
Flaming from Cherubim could not expire 
Its sweets. Its fragrance spread, 
O'er all the earth, survives, though dead. 

It is the light that makes the day. 
In heaven— they need no otlier ray. 

They have no sun like ours here. 

Love is the sun that lights that sjjhere. 
And in the heart where it doth dwell, 
The bosom feels its glowing swell. 

As if another l^deii fair 

Bloomed with perennial gladness there. 



EDEN DELL, 



OR 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 



True Lcn'c ne'er made our manhoods 7i.'eak, 

Though mailed hnees might bow as meek 

As childhood's prayer. They'd rise more strong 

Than Sampson -when his locks 7vere long. 

To hn'e is noble, God-like, 7i>ise, 

IVho lo7'es not hath 7io starry skies, 

Xo rainbo7v span/iing stonns that rise, 

His natures 7uarped to strife and 7orong. 



A silence broken by the wings 

Of thought ne7u X'oiced. A touch that brings 

The charm of feeling when it flings 

Its cadence on a trembling lyre. 
A sunbeam straying through a dteam 
Where thoughts of beauty faintly gleam, 
Like Shado-u>s of the things that swvi 

1 he kindling of immortal fire. 

A music in the atmosphere ; 

A sadness in the sun-li^ht dear 

Like beauty smiling through a tear, 

Loi'i ^s fnagic and its my stety. 
A heart that stayed, a fancy strayed, 
A soft sigh filling from a maid 
As fair as e'er the gods have ma<re. 

And -.'ho shall knoiv its history ? 

A barijue shall sail a stormy main, 
A heart shall ivander in its pain, 
.'hid turn to find its cncn again. 

Love is the highest bliss of hearrn ! 
And yearning souls shall hear the wail 
Of blasted hotes sigh throui^h the gale. 
And some shall 7vin, and some shall fail. 

Upon this star long tempest driven. 



EDEN DELL, OR LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 



CANTO FIRST 



THE PARTING 



Soft in the mellow light of day, 

A beauteous landscape stretched away. 

To where a smiling Eden lay. 

To where the fairest flowers of spring, 

Upon the cooling zephyr's wing, 

Their sweetest wealth of odors fling. 

Where fragrant honeysuckles bend, 

Their graceful heads, as if to blend. 

In whispered prayer for foe or friend ; 

Or having drank the sun-light through, 

And waiting for their cup of dew. 

Would ask a blessing for the two. 

The air was soft as summers breath, 

Fresh from wild flowers upon the heath, 

While dimly in the distance gray, 

Stood vernal groves in Spring array, 

Like silent guardians of the day. 

And emerald meads shone far and near. 

Where wild flowers bend o'er streamlets clear, 



48 Kin:y pull, oh 

Like dreamers in anotlier sphere. 
'I'he dying day had almost tied, 
The sun now tipped his cap of red, 
As if he bade ' good night ' and said, 
" I've kissed my love the bhishing West, 
I make my bow, and bid you rest." 

There, where the purple shadows blend, 
And vine-clad arbors arch and bend, 
With arms entwined, f7C'P lenders stand 
And gaze afar on that fair land. 
Their souls drink in the mellow light — 
The gold from off the sun-set hight, 
Nor dream they of a coming night 
Of life or love ; for hope is bright, 
.•\nd earth has brought its sweetest charm 
When souls with love are fresh antl warm. 
They stood with brow ujjlifted there. 
Kissed by the soft-lip] )ed evening air. 
They both were young ; and one was fair. 
With (oral lips and soft brown hair. 
Her ( heeks had (aught the roses hue, 
Her eyes returned the sky its blue. 
Yet S])arkle(l with a ri( her hue 
Than do the diamonds of Peru. 
There, tall and beautiful she stood. 
More gra( eful than a nymi>h of wood. 
Or chiseled marble ever < ouUl. 



LOVE\S WANDERING. 49 

He gazed in her up-lifted face. 

His soul drank deep its truth and grace. 

He thought that blest with love alone, 

And such a darling all his own, 

He'd have a heaven here begun 

More dear than aught beyond the sun. 

She was so young, so fair, so pure — 

He could not bear the thought endure, 

That few of noble deeds he'd done. 

So little fame and fortune won, 

He blushed to look upon the sun. 

So undeserved of such a prize. 

He'd toil for gold 'neath other skies, 

And earn her by some sacrifice. 

For since the world sets so much store 

On houses, lands and glittering ore. 

He'd have his portion. She should know 

For her he'd tread the wide world o'er. 



He pressed her to his heart so true, 

And gazing in her eyes of blue, 

Said, ' ' Ethel, dear ! My sweet, my dove ! 

While days shall shine, and heavens above 

Smile on us with a look of love ; 

While suns shall set, and stars shall rise, 

And earth be wrapt in vaulted skies; 

And tides shall come, and tides go back. 

And white moons wheel upon their track, 



I'll love you ; ami when suns grow old, 
And earth fades like a blazing scroll, 
I still will claim that I am thine. 
And fondly dream and wish thee mine. 

*' Hut Ethel. I must speed me soon 
Where early, late and 'neath the noon. 
By steady work and earnest toil, 
Where suns tan brown, and red sands soil ; 
Must get me gold, a name must get — 
And show through }ears I love thee yet. 
'Twere far too tame for me to claim 
A prize so 'bove my lot and name, 
A prize so dear that heaven alone 
For loss of such could scarce atone. 
I'or (iod found lulen naught to man 
'Till woman came, then changed his ])lan. 
And then old Etlen took away. 
And left her in its ])lace, they say. 
When years have tlow ii I'll ( ome again 
Willi lo\e as true, nor one heart slain, 
.And bring with me the treasured gold, 
.And warml) to my bosom fokl. 
With lo\e that's tried, and betler told. 
The one more dear than life or gold. 

".Ah! >.i\ sou slay ? I would 'twere so, 
.Nor j)ride of love should bid me go. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 51 

Did not brave Jacob true as truth 

Serve for fair Rachel in his youth? 

Served fourteen years and deemed them naught, 

So fair the prize his service brought. 

And Paris with a fearless hand, 

Fled with fair Helen to his land, 

And ten years 'round the walls of Troy 

Did challenge fate with steadfast joy. 

Why then not I, for one more true 

13are bravely wait, and nobly do ?" 



" Stay, stay ! " She said, "you must not go ; " 

Her voice was sweetly soft and low. 

And with emotion trembling shook 

Like murmurs of a rippling brook. 

And gently did the silence break. 

Dike moonbeams falling on a lake. 

She paused as if the thought were pain. 

And bowed her head, then spoke again : 

* ' The stars fixed in the crescent blue, 

That steady shine so mild and true. 

The bright sun whirling through the day 

That constant keeps his gold pathway. 

The ocean surging night and noon 

That lifts white hands unto the moon. 

That bathes her pale face in the sea, 

Are not more true than I to thee. 



EDKX DFJ.L. OR 

*' Hut if it l)c tliy firm desire, 
I will repress love's ardent fire. 
Yet in my heart as in an urn, 
Its glowing fires shall constant burn 
Till God shall speed thy glad return. 
This only promise will I rlaini, 
Behold yon star of heavenly flame ! 
1 named it in Ijright dreams in youth 
The orb of love, the world of truth. 
The heaven where with the one 1 love 
I'd tread the shores of bliss above. 
Vow, whether near or whether far, 
When e'er thou gazest on that star, 
Thou'lt strive to make thy love as fair, 
And keep it ])ure as childhood's ])rayer. 
When ea( h from each are Hir away. 
We'll hold communion through its ray. 
When gazing there think thou of me. 
My soul shall answer back to thee. 
And if we li\e or die ajiart 
No fate can keep us heart from heart." 
Each lifted to the star the hand. 
Love sealed the vow as thus they ^land ; 
lmi)rinting with a ros)- thrill, 
A joy nor lime, nor years could still. 

Beneath the stars that softl\ shine 

Where tangled moonbeams dance and iwine 



LOVE'S WAA^DERINGS. 53 

In garden wreathed with crescent vine; 
They tarry where dark shadows meet 
And learn of love its bitter sweet. 
Arm twined in arm, lip touched to lip, 
At love's pure fount they sweetly sip. 
Nor know they naught but love's deep bliss 
Sealed by love's signet-seal — a kiss. 
And dark eyes gaze in orbs of blue 
Reflecting back a darker hue. 
Within whose azure depths the deeps 
Of love's bright sea reflected sleeps. 
Where, with love's sweet beguilings lit, 
Love's fairest dreams like shadows flit. 
While pass the hours swift and fleet, 
And time glides by with noiseless feet. 

Ah, me ! What matter how they flee 
When love sips honey like the bee? 
For life has many hours, you see. 
But none so fair, and none so sweet 
As those that pass where love-lips meet. 
For love that is the sweetest sweet. 
Strews fairest flowers beneath the feet; 
And leads, with soft bewitching grace. 
Of parted lips and smiling face. 
The rosy hours in joyous chase. 
But then, ah then !' the parting's nigh. 
And fondest hearts must breath a sigh. 



.54 K1>K,\ DKLL, OR 

And darker shades the evening cast, 
As swiftest hours are speetHng fast. 
While love must bow to sorrow's spell, 
And bitter si)eak the sad farewell. 

Most bitter sweet indeed to some 
Does love with its beguilings come. 
When hearts their fondest hopes must crush, 
And love her brightest dreams must hush. 
And hand that should be pressed in hand, 
Meet onl\' in the bright dream-land. 

They parted there beside the gate, 

Nor doubted time nor (questioned fate. 

Their parting words they whisper low, 

While gentle breezes softly l)low 

As if to cat( h the whis])ered llow. 

The niocjn looked down serene and j)roud, 

'I'hen glided through a fleecy cloud. 

Within the moon and star light dear. 

Her cheeks bejeweled with a tear, 

.•\s angel of another sjjhere, 

As Peri on the golden strand. 

He saw her in iur beauty stand. 

Departing now. through shadows far 

He saw her ga/e u|)on a star. 

Tnto that star he kissed his hand. 

And on the morrow left the land. 



LOVE'^S WANDERINGS. 

■^ ■^i ^ ^ -^.^ i{i -^ 
Thus vowed upon their parting day, 
Fair Ethel Vane, and Truman Gray, 

In Eden Dell. 
Thus parted fondly, but in pain. 
To meet, ah ! when to meet again ? 

Farewell I farewell ! 
For the sea will sink and swell. 

And the earth turn like a wheel, 
But no wizard eye can tell, 
What the future will reveal. 

For the heart is like the sea. 

Never w^aveless, never still, 
Changing in its grief or glee, 

To the breezes of the will. 
As the moon v/alks o'er the night 

As the sun dispels the shade. 
May thy love grow strong and bright, 

As the stars that never fade. 



o(> EDKX DELI.. OR 



CANTO SECOND. 



KokKWARNKD, A I'KuI'HKCV 



l'"ar Westward wlicrc broad prairies lie 
Fringed onl}' 1)\- a ( ircling sky; 
Beneath a tent in l)reezes fine 
Three travelers at their ease recline. 
Near by, within the sun's bright rays, 
'I'heir steeds u])()n the green i)lain graze. 
The golden day most lo\ing blent 
The blue of ])lain and firmament 
While in the circling sheen of light 
'i'hc lent 'rose like a speck of while, 
'Mid rolling waves of \erdant hue 
Sj»read far as eagle's eye could \ iew. 

The tra\elers mused. The meal was jjast. 
The day a dreamy languor < ast 
That seemed to fill the soul with ease 
And bring again the dreams that i)lease. 
Thev mused in silen< e, long, jirofound. 
Unbroken by a breath of sound. 
And wandered o'er the llowery ways 
Of hope and love in other tlays. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 57 

They still were young, and loved to feel 
The thrill of youth like flash of steel 
Ere use and rust hath dimmed its shine, 
And marred the flame upon its shrine. 
To feel the glow, the flash, the gleam 
Of passion's fire, and love's bright dream. 
Was but their nature ; and they felt 
Those fires that ardent natures melt. 
Yet oft leave harder than before, 
Like lava cooled on ocean's shore. 
These were Earl Barring, Hugh McVeigh, 
And our young hero, Truman Gray. 

At length Earl Barring silence broke 
And stroked his beard, as thus he spoke : 
* ' How strange is fate I A wanderer grown, 
No land or home I call my own. 
In youth, I loved a maiden fair 
Who smiled with such a winning air, 
1 worshiped like a saint in prayer. 
Her sunny tresses waving hung, 
Like threads of gold to breezes swung, — 
Like gleams of light the stars among ; 
And l)andld "round with argent sheen 
The brow of snow that rose between — 
And crowned her as with gold — a queen. 
A Hebe in form, a nymjjh in grace. 
With hazel eyes and faultless face. 



KDES DELL, nL' 

" W'c jjletlgetl our love in carl\ yoiitli. 
And thought nor time nor nothing ruth, 
Could ever change or blast its truth. 
But partings come. They came to me. 
We i)arted 'neath our trysting tree. 
I placed a white rose in her hair 
And thought she never looked so fair. 

*''rhe shades of learning then 1 sought — 

In college walls sought lore, and thought, 

1 often burned the midnight oil, — 

Her love was my reward for toil. 

Oft gazed ujjon her image fair. 

Oft thought of white rose in her hair, 

And drew fresh insj^iration there. 

''When years had flown, like birds on wing, 
And hope sang like the birds in Spring, 
I sought her. Hojjed she still sought me, 
And found her 'neath our trysting tree — 
Another with her — who was he? 
I sa7i/ him bending o'er her, stand 

With peerless white rose in his hand. 

« 

'* 1 heard him whisper words of love, 
I heard her answer like a dove. 
He i)la<ed the white rose in her hair — 
I turned, the sight I could not bear. 



LOVE'S WAXDERINGS. 59 

"■ I sought her on another day 

When sunset shed its golden ray, 

And, pausing at the open door, 

1 saw three standing on the floor. 

Two clasi)ed their hands — one fair, one tall, 

Some words — a prayer — and that was all. 

"• I saw a white rose in her hair, — 
1 turned and faced the sunset there, 
Reflecting back as proud a glare. 
It seemed its light did then expire. 
And in my blood I caught its fire."' 



He raised his clenched hand, and now 
He drew it strangely o'er his brow. 
Then paused awhile, as if he spoke 
Some inward words, then silence broke. 
"I journey now to the setting sun, 
Nor care how soon the race is run 
'Till I pour back in its fiery flood 
This burning, red-hot, bitter blood. 



" For up and down the world 1 rove. 
Within my heart a buried love; 
A memory haunts where'er I go. 
For so it is — how oft its so." 



i:in:s df.ll. oi: 

[ He sings . ] 

"Then I'll sing a song gf a maiden fair, 
With a white rose twined in her braided hair, 
Of a maiden so rare with a rose so fair 
That she tangled my life in her braided hair. 

'•'i'hree roses white shone pearl}' fair 
In her golden braids of sunny hair. 
One I placed there, t7c>o he placed there. 
It was so strange it seemed unfair. 

"Oh! sad is the heart where there is not jjrayer I 
Oh ! sad is the heart where there's dark desi)air ! 
Oh I sad is the heart when no angel fair 
Rolls away the stone from the gra\e that's there 

"Some think it strange and foolish (piite 
That I ( annot banish three roses white. 
P)Ut I j)inned m\- heart to a maiden bright 
And she brought me noon. and she brought me night. 

Then silence brooded for a while, 
'Till Hugh McVeigh, with bitter smile. 
Rose grandly up. and towering stood 
Vehement in each changeful mootl. 
.And scanning first the distaiK c dim. 
Where grass-blue met the sky-blue rim, 
Sj)oke thus with warmth each varying word. 
With chxpienie they felt, who heard: 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 61 

'' I too have loved, I know not why, 
It is the strangest mystery. 
S/ie was so grand, so fair to see, 
And yet she never smiled on me. 
I often smiled, it did me good 
To look upon her proudest mood. 
Disdain and pride. Ah! that was her — 
She was as proud as Lucifer. 

"She was a dark-eyed, tall brunette. 
With queenly form and hair of jet, 
Dark, rolling eyes, with flash of fire, — 
A voice enchanting as the lyre. 
With head erect, and scornful mien. 
And glowing face of olive sheen, 
She stood a haughty Tarquin queen. 
Why did I love her? I could not bear 
The pride of her disdainful air. 

" And yet I loved. Beneath the sky 
I scarce can find the reason why. 
But more, for her I'd dare to die; 
I'd dare all things known on earth's sod, 
I'd dare all but the throne of God. 
Dare stand upon the brink of hell 
Where Lucifer and angels fell. 
And fill it full of orphan's tears, 
And all the lives of coming years. 



KDKS UELL, OR 

Snat( li (le\il from liis hell of fire 
And lift him to the tallest spire 
Upon the blazing dome of heaven, 
Jehovah's will denied or given. 

-'Seize evening star when thus l)egiin 
And burn it in the setting sun ; 
Grasp sickly moon with face so pale 
And melt her in the comet's tail ; 
Tie bl(Jod-red stars, one by one. 
With strings of fire unto the sun, 
And toss them in that shoreless sea. 
The dread, unknown eternity. 
Vet from the wre( k would save one star 
()ii which to dwell with her afar, 
Nor for the rest would sigh or groan, 
If 1 but knew she was my own." 

•''Tis sad to see," young Truman said. 

" \'()ur i>assion blaze to hottest red." 

"I know it well," McVeigh replied, 

*' liui love dial deep when scorned, denied, 

Is bitter in its sullen j)ride. 

" 1 would not harm the human race, 
Nor mar with blood kuid nature's face; 
i)Ui w luMi my thoughts are in this mood 
Thev're bitter as the Dead Sea's tlood. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 63 

I would not shed one orphan's tear, 

If every tear was a diamond clear, 

As bright as the sun in its proud career. 

As rich as the isles where the diamonds lay, 

As pure as the stars on the brow of day — 

Nor drag an angel from its sphere, 

Though through, beyond time's rolling year 

I might claim all that sphere my own. 

And dwell upon a sapphire throne. 

" But I'd brush from grief its briny tear, 

And I'd rather lift a meek soul here 

From its shivering tenement of clay. 

To the brightest dome in the realms of day. 

I'd wipe the tears from orphan's eyes, 

I'd calm the breast that deepest sighs, 

I'd cheer the weary fainting soul, 

Lift merit to its highest goal. 

Would bless the world the all I could. 

Enshrine my life in noblest good, 

And were the power to me given 

Would make this earth another heaven — 

An Eden far more pure and fair 

Than when the Serpent snared The Pair, 

And cursed the earth with strife and care. 

" Why did I love? I'm not so wise, 
Because she had such glorious eyes 



(34 KDliy DULL, OR 

That glowed like twin stars in the skies. 
Because her face was fresh and fair, 
Because she wore a (|ueenly air ; 
Because her beauty was so rare, 
I never mused or knelt in prayer. 
But that I saw an angel there 
That did her sweetest image wear. 
Because the deer will snuff the air ; 
Because the birds and beasts will |)air: 
Because the dove will seek a mate; 
Because, because, such things are fate : 
And heaven decrees them from above, 
And this is why 1 can but love. 

" My love I breathed not. She well knew 

My heart was warm, my love was true. 

She saw it in my bashful eyes. 

My love-lit look and glad surprise ; 

15ut, wounded by disdain and i)ri(le. 

I tried to hate, and left her side. 

And I will lra( k the round worKl o'er, 

Nor look on her jjroud presence more. 

While waves rise uj), and skies bend o'er, — 

While worlds have suns and seas have shore. 

And yet her |)r()ud face haunts me still, 

I hear her voice in the bubbling rill, — 

I see her form in the shadows still. 

Is love the urowth of human will? 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 65 

I know not, yet too well I know, 

I laid it where the willows grow. 

xA.nd yet its ghost will come unbid 

To raise again Hope's coffin lid. 

I cursed all love beneath the skies, 

I scorned it as a thing despised; 

I trod my heart beneath my feet, 

Yet, like the trampled flowers, more sweet 

Its essence rose and softly stole 

In honeyed fragrance to my soul. 

Stand off, thou wizard of unrest ! 

My soul's my own, wouldst thou contest. 

And manacle its free born will ? 

I hate ! I hate 1 — lout love her still. 

I know not if her proud heart cares — 

I know that mine a dead hope bears." 

[He sing^s.] 

"Then Til sing a song of a maiden bold, 
As fair as the sun with his shield of gold ; 
As proud as the stars on the throne of night ; 
As cold as the snows on the mountain hight. 
For she buried the hopes that once did abide 
'Neath Alpine glaciers of lofty pride. 

"Then I'll build her a throne of coldest stone, 
And I'll crown her brow with a frozen zone. 
A scepter of ice her hand shall wield, 
And a world of snow shall be her shield ; 



66 EDEN DELL, OR 

And I'll send her forth to the hell of fire, 
To freeze its plains for her own empire." 

" How very bitter," Young Truman said, 

' ' You should warm your heart, and cool your head. 

In your earnest soul you should aspire 

To noblest thoughts, and a pure desire. 

Your love, like crooked mountain stream, 

Runs from extreme swift to extreme. 

But truest love glides smooth and strong, 

Like streams that journey far and long; 

Like rivers full, with tall banks steep — 

Flow silent, strong, flow clear and deep. 

You each, I fear, misunderstood 

Your loves, you are so hot of blood. 

One coldly tarried much too long. 

The other loved too wild and strong. 

The fair haired maid, long left alone. 

Thought you had cold and careless grown. 

"The proud brunette, with queenly form, 
I'hought you should all your cohorts form, 
And take her as a fort — by storm. 
The frigid crust was but a shield, 
To urge advance, and charge the field. 
No fault of heart, it was her pride. 
While you stood off, that bold denied 
What was unsought. You should advance 
With bolder step and lifted lance. 



LOVE'S WAXDEEIXGS. 67 

As if you sought to win the prize, 
And be the chiefest in her eyes. 
For coldest hearts if touched aright, 
With streams of joy oft bless the sight. 
Like rock in desert smote by rod 
Of Moses at command of God." 

'' How oft the heart that seems so cold 
Has in its core and inner fold, 
A wealth of tenderness untold ; 
And knows that tenderness so well. 
It strives nor word, nor deed may tell; 
But wraps itself with outer pride. 
The richness of its wealth to hide. 
For richest nuts have hardest shell, 
And deepest seas have softest swell ; 
The deepest griefs none ever tell, 
And truest loves breath low 'farewell.' 

" I, too, love one most sweetly dear, 
Whose smile a desert heart would cheer ; 
With mind all goodness, gentle, wise ; 
With soft brown hair and lovely eyes. 
Such eyes ! The soul's unfathomed sea 
Lights up their depths of constancy. 
O! Who can tell the depths that roll 
Within the ocean of the soul. 
The hights that rise, the thoughts that burn, 
Within the heart as in an urn ? 



08 El)i:\ DELL, oil 

Tliis makes the soul-lit features gKnv, 
And their immortal grandeur show. 
This subtle power of thought and mind, 
I prize above all gems I find. 
Vet she is dowered with every grace 
Of lovely form, and charming face. 
From her — from love, with courage bold, 
I've turned awhile to seek for gold. 
And I'll l)elie\e her warm and true, 
As the light that jjaints yon azure blue, 
'Till the sky shall shrink to a droj) of dew 

The others 'rose and prompt replied, 
" P>e earth her circuit thrice shall ride, 
That vaunting boast shall be denied ; 
.And thou, with hand uplifted high, 
Sivear life s a eheat, and lore s a lie. 
So give the hand, we then may meet, 
And time will prove love bitter-sweet. 
We've laid this unction on our soul. 
To love no more while a^es roll. 
I'or like Sir Knight of ancient lore. 
We ( annol lo\e, but we adore.'' 



'i'he sun from his zenith of gold. 
Looked down in his pride as he rolled ; 
These words to the breezes were told. 
And the \v\\\ on the prairie they fold. 



LOVE'S WANDERTXGS. (59 



CANTO THIRD. 

FOUL PLAY BENEATH THE STARS. 

Beyond Sierra's hights of snow, 
Where mountains slope to plains below, 
And valleys rich in precious ore, 
Stretch onward to Pacific's shore ; 
Where crested waves reach far and wide, 
And ocean rolls her briny tide. 
And in her surge of foamy crown. 
The moons rise up, and suns go down. 
Where walled about with mountains high, 
And arched above with bluest sky, 
A world of fairest edens lie. 
Within a gorge, or valley deep, 
A mining town lay still in sleep. 
The scattered houses rambling seem, 
And crooked streets befringe the stream. 

One lonely wanderer watched the gleam 
Of moonlight on the silvery stream, 
And saw it glow and ripple there, 
Like glossy gleams of soft, brown hair ; 



70 i:i>i:s I)J:ll, or 

Like glowing smile of maiden fair. 

Abo\e, the iiKJon r(Kle pale and j^roiid. 

And oft a vail of tleet^y cloud 

Her modest face would strive to hide, 

As one would vail a blushing bride. 

Perhajjs it was an angel fair, 

That sought to vail pale Luna there, 

And hide from her j)ure modest sight, 

Dark deeds of men neath shades of night. 

Voung Truman, long for gold had wrcjught 

Had hoarded much, for more he sought. 

And yet he knew earth's greatest pain — 

A strong man's toil for wealth and gain. 

His mind that night was troubled deep ; 

So restless that he could not sleej). 

He wandered forth to calm his thought, 

To cool his brow, the stream he sought. 

He said, " I was too jjroud of soul, 

'i"oo jiroud to taste the nectared bowl. 

Until I showed by deeds of worth, 

I merit fairest of the earth. 

The noblest aim may be misconstrued. 

The noi)lest eyes with tears bedewed ; 

'I'he noblest heart be jiroudly s|mrned ; 

The warmest love be cold returned ; 

And noblest soul in this life here. 

Be soiled with dust and tlimmed b\ tear." 



L0\ E \^ WA XI) J^J JUNO'S. 

Then o'er the stream he bended low, 

Then lifted eyes to hights of snow, 

Then i)eering through the heavens afar, 

Gazed on the setting evening star. 

This scarce had done, when like a lance 

Two robbers from the night advance. 

They strike him there — when unaware — 

A gash is in his parted hair — 

A gash is on his noble brow— 

And Luna's beams kiss softly now 

The red wound on his pallid brow. 

O ! love of gold ! O I love of gain 1 

The heavens bend down with a look of pain 

To see you slay — to see your slain ! 

The Moon bent o'er with a sickly smile, 
As a mother bends o'er a dying child. 
The Stars shrank in their vault of blue, 
And said, " We will not look at you. 
You look too i)ale and ghastly white, 
To lie on the earth in the cold moonlight. 
Have you no one to bathe your brow, 
To shield and warm and cheer you now? 
No willing friend in that far land, 
To close that wound with gentle hand ; 
To wipe the gore from your dark hair. 
And from your forehead ghastly fair ? " 
And the sighing Wind that whisjjered bv, 



KDES DELL, 'JR 

Relurned the stars this kind reply : 
" I've kissed him for his mother dear, 
Brushed from his eye the starting tear, 
And caught the accents of liis prayer. 
And borne them on the listening air; 
And from the cabin standing near, 
I caught upon my willing ear, 
The ring and clink of sounding gold, 
Where roljbers entered fierce and bold, 
ill tr\- the conscious cowards sore, 
ril shriek and moan about the door, 
And whisper to all })assers by, 
'Foul pliiy y And stars you must rej^ly, 
' Ft>u/ pliiy ■ Irom out your cr\stal sk)/" 

The Mountains nodded their assent. 

And said, " This spangled blue hath bent 

For ages o'er our snowy crest. 

And all these ages have been blest 

For man. (iod raised our towering land 

From ocean chaos, and night's str.md. 

To cool the bree/.es with our snow. 

'I'o water \erdant i>lains below; 

To give our \eins of golden ore 

To grasi)ing man. But scarce before 

Beheld we such a dastard d^cd. 

Such fiendish (rime, and hellish greed. 

\s ^oiJ i\ ( urse on land and main. 



LOVE'S WAXDERINGS. 78 

More dark than curse on jealous Cain ? 
And earth must bleed at every pore, 
And man bleed at his own heart core ? 
We'll whisper to the silent night, 
Go hide man from Creation's sight ; 
Nor let the gazing worlds sublime 
View record of such damning crime." 

The silent Night, unvoiced before, 
Moaned like the waves on ocean's shore. 
And dropped her sable curtains down, 
To hide the moon and starry crown, 
And sobbing for the sinless years, 
Wept o'er the earth with dewy tears ; 
And brooding o'er the voiceless gloom, 
Like sorrow o'er the silent tomb, 
She watched the lingering hours pass, 
While every Hour sighed, "Alas! 
Alas I alas ! that we should pass 
And crime mark every hour glass 
Since time began. Since man had birth 
Such gory land-marks scar the earth. 
Since Cain, the first born, madly slew 
His brother, blood wets earth like dew. 
And seen upon God's youngest star, 
The world of man, by worlds afar, 
A blow — a gash — a half closed eye, 
A pale face staring at the sky ; 



74 



KDKX DKLL. OR 



Some spot^ like dr()]j^ of selling sun, 
A crimson, curdling as it run, 
A mouldering clod that smiled no more 
While Silence wrapt it o'er and o'er." 




LOVE'S WAXDERINGS. 75 



CANTO FOURTH. 

RETRIKUTION, OR THE VIGILANTES. 

In the early dawn of the breaking day 
Some horsemen gathered and rode away. 
They urge with steel each bounding steed, 
And skim the vale with whirlwind speed. 
Armed and equipped they sternly rode, 
And scour and guard each mountain road, 
For a friend up early had passed that way 
And roused the vigilantes' sway. 
The honest miners banded strong 
For common good, to punish wrong. 
For dire necessity they saw 
For self-preservation — nature's law. 
And this the bond of union made, 
An iron hand that power swayed. 

As the sun arose, they rode again. 
From out the mountains to the plain. 
Two others with them led along, 
Hands tied, and neck in lasso thong. 
These struggled oft and oft held back, 
'Till tightning ujj the lasso's sla(^k, 



KDEX DKLL. Oil 

Thev felt its gnj) around the neck. 
The gasping life-breath slowly (heck. 
Then leaning back they slowly walk 
With sullen scowl, and grumbling talk. 
Till at the foot of mountain, where 
It sloi)ing fringed the valley fair. 
They paused beneath a clumj) of trees 
That nodded gently to the breeze. 
And stood ujjon a grassy knoll 
That ended where two streamlets roll- 
In full view of the town are seen 
To wave above the valley green. 

The cajjtain orders, " Hah. Alight. 

Now, "Siiuire, swear your jury right: 

Vou six ujjon the grass there sit; 

Try if they hang, or you ac(iuu."' 

The hardy miners (|ui( kly then 

In front of jurors bring the men. 

Then, ranged around \\\)o\\ the grass, 

.All sit as slow tlie i)ri^()ners jjass. 

The Squire, there .Mcalde called. 

With shoulders broad, and caput bald, 

A man of nerve, a man of head. 

With look of learning 'rose and said : 

'• Hold uj. vour hands. Vou solemn swear 

The right to shield, the wrong to dare 

And crime pur>ue; nor ( riminals spare." 



LO YE 'S WANDERINGS. 

One prisoner then with dogged mien, 

Said " Hold on, 'Sijuire ! You think Tm green, 

But I've been tried before, and know 

That's not the oath ; so Judge, go slow. 

When I killed Tim at Devil's Run, 

The lawyer said the oath begun, 

According to evidence and law, 

And justice balanced on a straw." 

" Now hold your lip I " the Squire said, 

" I am a lawyer born, and bred ; 

But you will wag your careless tongue 

Like one I've read of, till you're hung." 

The stubborn prisoner then replied, 

With taunting lip, and look of pride, 

" I heard a lawyer once declare 

His loud opponent's pride to spare, 

' Your vocal powers you should increase ; 

Rome once was saved by gabbling geese. 

So let your vocal powers ring. 

Know this for history proves the thing, 

A horse's neigh once made a king.' " 

The jolly miners laugh around. 

And say the 'Squire a " brick '" has found. 

The 'Squire, versed in legal lore. 

Thought he was ne'er so stumped before ; 

And that the sham of legal form 

He could with pompous ]:)ride perform, 



EDES DELE. <Hi 

In •' bills'" like this be wonclcruus wise — 
Be wisdom's chiefest in iheir eyes. 

So sternly then lie scratched his head, 
And thus with kindling ire said : 
'* I've seen the cur bay at the moon, 
I've seen the owl frown at the noon ; 
I've seen the rill laugh at the main, 
I've seen the monkey strut the plain 
And mimic men of seven-})Ound brain ; 
Hut ne'er before have seen a cuss 
At his own funeral make a fuss," 
"You never heard how Sampson threw 
The temple down, and thousands slew. 
He made a fuss. Had he your jaw. 
Instead of the one he once did draw 
Of your dead sires, he would have slain 
A thousand more upon that plain — 
For you arc the first with so much cheek 
Since Haalam's ( reature ceased to s])eak."" 
" And you're another," the Stiuire rej)lied, 
" And first to make an ox's hide 
Cover so mu( h, since l)ido tried 
To make one cover a city wide."' 

Wise, like an owl. with look |)rofound, 
Ka( h witness then he called around : 
•' Now. all you boys rise uj) antl stand. 



LOVE'S WANDEBJXGS. 79 

You solemn swear with lifted hand 
You'll speak the truth at my comand." 
The evidence was blunt and brief. 
" These are the men — there's no relief, 
We tracked them up ; got part the gold — 
They acted like offenders old. 
Their boots fit in the robbers" track, 
They first owned uj), then took it back." 

With plainest words the truth is spoke 
And oft there passed, a careless joke. 
Though very rude, they felt the need 
Of a power to punish — a head to lead 
'Gainst the tide of crime, and life preserve. 
And the rules of order by force subseive. 
No lawyer to plead, no judge to sway, 
They waited not for the law's delay. 
A criminal once within their grip 
Soon felt his neck in the halter slip. 
This is one extreme; there is another, — 
'Tis years of delay, and a world of bother 
With criminal costs, and endless hope 
To a felon wretch that should " pull rope." 

Ere ten short minutes the verdict read, 
"The robbers are guilty, — hang till dead." 
So the Captain si)oke, " You men go 
And over yon limb the lasso throw. 



hO KDES 1)I:LL. on 

Ami lift these two from the ground below."' 
*' I'll save ycni that. I'll ( hmh a tree," 
One robber said, with reckless glee. 
'' With a little help, you ma\- climb a limb, 
The Captain said, with a mimic grim. 

The i)risoner said, " It's a hard thing 
To dance when another [mils the string. 
You blunder, Cap; but a blunder made 
By an English Admiral, sent to Hade 
The Turkish lleet. and kindly bade 
Down-trodden Greece be free ; 
Such a blunder you've made with me. 
The jury's right ; we did the deed. 
Fuit the crows may on my carcass {(^<:(\, 
If I don't warn you to shun with (are 
The life I've led, the guilt 1 share. 

In youth I sjiurncd a mothers l()\e. 
And cursed her ere I turned to rove. 
Hut the curse I cursed, has fallen on me. 
.\nd followed me o'er the land and sea. 
With evil companions I've wandered far 
I'Vom religions sun, and \ irtues star. 
And ro\ing, drinking and gambling wild. 
Will make an imj) of an innocent child. 
I was meant for a j)arson, my mother said, 
Hut from the thought I sullen tied. 



LOVE'S WAKDBRIXGS. 81 

For a comrade told me one day, 

As truants we rambled the hours away, 

' That I would find, if I would search, 

The fools of the family were give to the church.' " 

The other prisoner who long had stood 

In silent, stern, indifferent mood. 

As they o'er the limb the lasso throw, 

Now sadly said in accents low, 

" Farewell, Oh sun 1 And all below. 

Evil companions led me astray 

From paths of virtue, religions ray, 

To gods of gold, and idols of clay. 

My first bad act was to lead astray 

A sinless soul from virtue's way — 

A trusting girl, thoughtless and lone. 

But it wrecked her life and damned my own." 

The woid was given, two bodies hung 

From a pendant limb, and quivering swung, 

As, a pendulum swings. And two souls 

Took up their journey to other goals. 

Took their ap})eal to a higher court 

That has here no reporter or re])ort. 

But in the day of final assize 

The triers will know if they acted wise. 

And there the triers and the tried, 

May stand together, side bv side ; 



82 I'JiF.S DKLL, OR 

And the facts apjicar both < lear and nude. 
To a higher court to l)e reviewed ; 
Nor Justice blind, but Eye that saw, 
Judge by a wise and perfect law. 

So while the sun in brilliant scorn, 

Moved on toward the middle of morn. 

The horsemen mounting, rode away, 

From work they'd done, to work of the day 

And as they go they gazing turn. 

With eyes indifferent, and features stern — 

To see the sun in anger burn. 

To see the work their hands have done, — 

Two bodies dangling in the sun. 

Man's cruel, be he savage or sage. 

Like a beast in lair, or beast in cage, 

If you only rouse his anger and rage. 

Man's cruel, you may say what you can. 

And reason it well with a master hand, 

()n< e in rai^e the tiger may si)are. 

The lion some i)ity and feeling share. 

Where man will slaughter, rend and tear. 

I'or f()r( e and wrong go hand m hand, — 
Such justi( e man deals out to man. 
(Jrime must be i)unished, but ah ! then 
How sad the need to |)unish men. 
Yet if thou pity can'st bestow. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 83 

Place it not on the criminal low, 
But he thlt fell beneath his blow. 
And though justice should be blind 
In executing it, you'll find. 
It must be cruel to be kind. 



■■^VF" 



.s4 y;/>/;.v />/•;/./.. or 



(\\N'1() Ml TH. 

RKCOVEKEI) A S(ENK Ol jKAI.OUSV. 

Beyond Sierra's heights of snow- 
Where mountains slope to jjlains below ; 
Within the mining town there stood 
A modest cabin, jjlain and rude, 
W'liere, tossed with fever, racked with i)ain 
Severely wounded, but not slain. 
Where sunset, through the oi)en door. 
Shone softly on the cabin floor, 
Upon his rude but tidy bed, 
With ])allid face, and bandaged head. 
Lay Truman (iray. For days had lain 
Unconscious half of thought or jjain. 
The e\ening bree/es fanned iiis brow . 
Mis thoughts came stronger, clearer now. 
He knew he stood beside the stream. 
Yet since knew naught but as a dream ; 
Piut lurmng on his j)ilIow now 
I ic felt a soft hand on his l)row . 

lie looked and saw two glorious eyes 
(ia/.e on him with a glad surprise. 



LOVE'S WAyDLJRIXGS. So 

A dark-eyed beauty, fair of face, 

( )f Spanish or Castilian race, 

A truer type, he ne'er had seen, 

Of full, round form and graceful mien. 

A mouth like pearls in rubies set, 

Dark, dreamy eyes, with fringe of jet. 

That drooped above their half-veiled light. 

As dark clouds fringe the sunset hight. 

Rejoiced to see the danger past. 

And signs of life returning fast, 

She bathed his brow, with tender mien. 

And smiled upon him like a tpieen. 

How pleased he was to see her near. 
How sweet her voice seemed to his ear, 
As thus she said : '^ Now, Senor, rest, 
Thy fevers past, thy wounds are dressed. 
I heard thy need of nursing rare 
And thought a woman's tender care 
Might save thee. So I came alone, 
And watched beside thee all unknown. 
So rest thee well, and thou shalt see 
The one so loved, yet far from thee. 
For whom thou in thy fever raved 
And prayed to see — for thou art saved." 

These words came, like a potent charm, 
His hopes to cheer, his fears disarm. 



8(i KDES DELL. oR 

\\U weary e\ es then softly close 
In nature's calm and sweet repose. 
For on his spirit, soothing fell, 
The tender touch of woman's spell. 
The symj^athy, the care and thought 
Of woman's tenderness, had i)r()ught 
Unto his spirit peace and rest — 
As heavenly visions cheer the breast. 

O ! woman ! with thy gentle care, 
O! earthly angel, pure and fair! 
O ! heavenly guide to faith and ])ra\er! 
What were the earth, did not th\ liand 
Strew flowers in a desert land? 
\Vhat were the sick bed, did'si not thou 
Lay thy soft hand upon the brow. 
And (aim ihe j)ain and anguish tlu-re 
\\\ tlioughtful sympath)- and (are? 
And what were man without thee here. 
Unblessed with sym])athetic tear, 
Unpolished by th\- gentle gra< e, 
Uncheered by thy bewitc hing face? 
A savage rude, of culture void. 
With soul debased and Ionc de^troNcd. 
A day without a ray ot light, 
A night without a star in sight. 

'I'he storms that doth the tall oak rentl 
Hut makes the supple willow bend. 



LOVE'S WAXDERIXG. 87 

So man, prostrate in pain or grief. 

Finds in frail woman sweet relief. 

Who feels the grief to others known, 

More keenly than she does her own. 

O bless the hand that tends the sick 1 

O l)less the love that's warm and quick ! 

O Ijless the heart that's kind and true! 

And sheds its l)lessings like the dew. 

Then, woman you will fondly bless, 

And vow to never love her less. 

These thoughts came with the shadows deep. 

Ere closed his eyes in balmy sleep. 

As days passed by, she often came. 
With smile of sympathy the same. 
She bathed his wound and dressed it oft, 
And spoke with voice so kind and soft. 
It cheered him in his pain and grief, 
And made his sickness seem so brief, 
He almost wished the constant care 
Of maid so lovely, kind and dm. 

When months had rolled into a year, 
And mountains bathed in sunlight clear, 
In lofty grandeur did appear ; 
He bade adieu to land of gold. 
And turned him to his love of old. 
Among the few he bade adieu, 



88 KDEX ni:iJ.. OR 

Juanita came, his nurse so true. 

Her (lark-eyed splendor was a sight 

That none could see without delight. 

And Truman saw, with sweet surprise, 

A sadness nestle in her eyes. 

And from her lips he heard a moan, — 

He stooped to press them to his own ; 

Thought then of loved ones far away, 

And said, "We bid adieu to-day. 

As wanderers on a rugged shore. 

We've met, Hen( eforth will meet no more. 

*' As ships that jjass ujjon the sea 
And hold sweet converse as they flee 
Across the main, then i)art with jjain. 
We've met, and ne'er may meet again. 
We all are shijjs upon life's sea, 
}U)und for one i)ort, Eternity. 
Then let us part and gladly sail. 
Like boatmen o'er the Shall()i)s trail. 
Not like those shijjs we meet at sea, 
That dancing on, 'mid foam and glee, 
Ajj|)roach with ( an\as s|)reading white, 
And glistening in the bright sunlight, 
\U\{ turn to shadow when tlu-y're past, — 
Nt) sunlight on their hull or mast. 
Like false friends, fair before our fa( e, 
Advanc ing with a smiling grai e 



LOVE'S WAXDERIXGS. 89 

And cordial mien, but turning black 
As shadows when we turn our l)ack. 
I give thee as I now depart, 
The homage of a grateful heart. 
Where e'er it swells on land or tide, 
'Twill turn to thee with grateful pride.'' 

Juanita said, " This world to me 

Seems brighter since I looked on thee. 

Now, that I'll see thy face no more 

'Twill seem more dark than e'er before. 

The things we've nursed and watched with care. 

Grow on our thought, and in our prayer. 

I never nursed a pet or flower, 

But what 'twas dearer from that hour." 

They press the hand, and there they part, 

She turned to still her aching heart. 

She turned, and as she turned she met 
Two jealous eyes of glossy jet. 
Her Spanish lover drawing nigh 
With dangerous glitter in his eye, 
A scornful curve upon his lip, 
A headlong torrent in his step. 

" Fi ! Senorita, lost your heart ? 
You keep a trist that's hard to part. 
\Vhat, tears within those lovely eyes ? 



9<) EDKX ni:rL. on 

That fLiir-faccd stranger shun, (icsj>ise. " 

'" Ah ! Came you here to wat( h and sjty ?"* 

'' Nay, to ui)l)rai(l. perhaps to che." 

'* What mean you ? Tis a strange re|)l\ ? ' 

" Vou soon shall know, for life to me, 

Is worthless without love and thee/' 

" What, are you mad ? '' Yes," and he laid 

His hand upon her arm and stayed 

Her step, a lurking de\ il in his look, 

While i)assion all his being shook. 

" Juanita Amiga, mad and wild ! 

For I have loved you since a child. 

Since we as children gleeful played, 

At keeping house, beneath the shade 

Of those old maples, grand and hoar 

That stood before your father's door. 

My love's grown strong and wild. 

But thine has vanished with a strange dec line. 

This must not be, my all, ni\ life 

Hangs on the answer, be m\- wife ?'' 

'* Pedro Desoto: (io thy wa\, 
Or else beware, thou'lt rue this tla\. " 
"Thou knowest th\ |)arents urge my cause, 
'j'iiou sjiould'st i)e mine i)\ heaven's laws. 
Mine, on!) mine, else love will be 
Through life a curse, a hell to me. 
Thou wilt sa\ \ es ?" "I answer no. 



L O \ 'E ' ,S I VA XI) BRINGS. 91 

"Tis worse than rude to urge me so.'' 
"'Tis love or life. Is this your will. 
And this your stubborn answer still ?" 
His hand then clutched his dagger hilt. 
'• If you persist, blood must be spilt." 
" You've had my friendship till this hour, 
\ow, I defy, though in your power." 

'• Your doom is sealed by that reply, 
You mu.st be mine, or both must die. 
Say that you will now where you stand, 
Nor other man shall claim your hand. 
Or blood shall flow where joy should beam, 
And mingle in one common stream. 
Our ghosts shall shriek to worlds below 
Ere others press that breast of snow. 
Id rather tread the world of gloom, 
A murderer's soul — without a tomb, 
Than bear the torture I've endured. 
Or lose the love my soul hath lured. 
There's danger in my Spanish blood. 
Who e'er before its anger stood ?" 

He threw one arm around her waist 
As if he sought but love's embrace. 
She struggled, and could scarcely speak, 
"Release me," with a sudden shriek. 
When cpiick his dagger rose on high. 
Its gleam flaslied on the evening sky. 



92 i:ni:\ i> 1:1,1., or 

One moment more lie'd sheathed tlie blade 
In the warm hosc^m ot" the maid. 
A hand behind, the weapon caught. 
And turned it from the heart it sought. 
Quick wrenclied it from his grasp away — 
Far on the lieath the wea|)on hiy. 

He turned Hke bearded hon then. 
" You seek to stay my vengean( e, wlien 
Was \engeance stayed from hand Hke mine? 
Her doom is sealed. I might add thine." 
Then from his breast a pistol drew. 
And (juick as thought he aimed it too. 
A loud rei)ort, the welkins swell. 
As staggering back, Juanita fell. 

While sharpl) sjjoke Noung 'i'ruman (ira\. 
"Desist! 'I'll}' murderous wea])on stay." 
Quick, Pedro, tiien to his own breast 
The pistol placed — the trigger i)ressed. 
Ancjther loud sound smote the air: 
Then with a pang of mad des|)air 
'I'liere. falling at her t'eet, he hi)'. 
Soon food for earth and death's dec ay. 

(jui( k, Iruman raised the fallen maid 
Who silent as in death, was laid. 
The trickling blood oo/ed from her side. 
He gently ()|)e'd her bosom wide. 



LOVF'S WANBERIXGS. ^^ 

And })ressing back the robes of white 

Beheld a sad and lovely sight. 

Upon that swelling sheen was wed 

The marble white with gory red. 

He searched the wound w^th anxious grief, 

Until he found, with glad relief, 

The ball had glanced from its true course, 

In distant air had spent its force. 

Had grazed her throbbing breast of snow 
And stained it with the crimson flow, 
Of li([uid life, but sparsely shed — 
Kind fate thus snatched her from the dead. 
He staunched the wound, and fanned her brow, 
And bound her breast with 'kerchief now; 
And sought with thoughtful words and kind. 
To calm the current of her mind. 
Her face was pale, her lustrous eye 
Glanced at the scene, then to the sky, 
While thoughts upon her spirit fell 
That few can read and none can tell. 

Now turn they where Don Pedro lay, 
And saw life's ebbing tide decay. 
He pressed his heart — he tried to rise, 

r 

Then looking up, he met their eyes, 
And startled, with a wild surprise. 
And 'mid his dying groans, he said, 
As fast the ebbing life-tide fled. 



I'AJKS DELL, on 

" Forgi\e, Juanita ! dear, farewell I • 
I thought not in this frenzied spell 
That love would work the deeds of hell. 

I could I live t(j wipe this shame, 
From out my life, from off my name, 
I'd bear all I'angs of grief or j)ain, 
Nor at the darkest fate comjjlain. 
Could hea\en reverse decree's of fate, 
It ne'er had been too late 1 to(j late ! 
'{'he hot blood (jf m)" treacherous race 
Hath often wrought such dark tlisgrace." 

His head then fell upon the jjlain. 

And he was past all earth 1\' i)ain. 

Juanita bends al)o\e him now 

And wijjes the death dew from his brow; 

And said. •• 1 might ha\e lo\ed, not blamed, 

Hadst thou been mild, thy heart more tamed. 

P)Ut who would li\e upon a brink 

Where j)assion's earth(piake soon might sink 

Their little world, its peace, its bliss. 

In such a fearful wreck as this. 

1 might have hned him when a t hild. 
His jiassion seemed romanti<-, wild, 
i'.ui older years taught me to blame 
His jealous heart, too fierce to tame. 

" Another dream of lile is o'er 

And 1 ha\i- learned one lesson more. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 95 

My childhood friend, with whom I played 
In childhood "neath my home-tree shade, 
Hath sought my life with vengeful steel, 
And felt the blow he meant to deal. 
Ah! Who can tell, what prophet know 
Who, Brutus like, may strike the blow. 
A well loved friend turned secret foe? 
Who knows but fate may make its thrust 
By hands we've loved to bless and trust, 
And we in some assassin trace, 
The lines of a familiar face? 
My childhood lover, can it be, 
Thus ends the chapter, jealously ? 

" Beware of jealous, mad'ning love, 
'Tis not long-suffering, slow to reprove. 
But like a hawk that rends a dove. 
"TwoLild curse an angel in love's name 
And burn it in hell's hottest flame. 
Did it not yield to its desire 
And quell the green-eyed monster's ire." 

Truman, Juanita, now again 

Part sadly with a deeper pain. 

She thanked him for the blow he staid. 

He answered he was more than paid. 

By slight return fate thus decreed. 

For her great kindness in his need. 



!H> EDi:S DKLL. oil 



Now evening cast her shadows i)ale, 
And night drew down her sable veil. 
But when the day dispersed the shade, 
And came in robes of light arrayed, 
Her ])arents rising, missed the maid. 




LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 97 



CANTO SIXTH. 

AMBUSHED A SAD DISCOVERY. 

Four times the sun from his bright hearth 

Had warmed the cirding face of earth. 

Four times his dazzHng course had rolled 

Upon his wheels of burnished gold ; 

And day and night, and gloom and light, 

Wheeled in their groves of endless flight. 

Through winding vales where streamlets stray. 

O'er hillsides, rocky, rough and gray 

A stage coach slowly wound its way ; 

Amid Sierras Mountains far, 

Ere they had known the palace car. 

Ere locomotives' stirring tone, 

Had waked those solitudes unknown, 

And gliding o'er its path of steel 

Caused vales to quake, and hills to reel. 

With ribs of brass, and heart of fire. 

And hmbs that neither feel nor tire, 

P>om throat of gloom and voice of steam 

Shrieked its mad shrill unearthly scream. 

Ere this fierce civilizer's tread. 
Had waked the bison from his bed. 



98 i:i>i:s HELL, (n: 

To rear his shagg\- head and see 
A monster wild and fleet as he. 
C'aused elk or antelojje to skim 
Less fleet, though of the swiftest limb. 
The wooded vale or trackless plain, 
And start to hear its voice again. 
Hre savage waking from his dream 
15) trembling earth and fearful scream. 
Had thought the spirits presence near, 
And shuddered with a nameless fear ; 
As its proud tread, and echo fills 
Unpeopled vales and silent hills ; 
And writes upon the earth that whirls 
Mind'\^ the umpire of the worlds; 
'I'hat tames the elements of wrath 
And guides them o'er an iron path. 

'I'he stage rolled ()\\ the mountain road. 
Rolled on for days with liuman load, 
( )'er valley, hill and rambling brook, 
I hrough mountain gorge and shady nook, 
W'lien 'mid the woods in mountain glen, 
A war cry broke the silence. Then 
1 )cep volleyed thunder rolled so high 
It made the startled eagle fly 
i'rom lofty jierch on mountain high. 
'I'he echoes rolled the valleys through 
And pealed unto tiie \aull of blue. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 99 

In dark ambush the Indians hiy 
And shot into the stage that day. 
Some dying fell within the stage, 
Some in their sudden fear or rage 
Sprang out amid the savage band 
To find a bloody fate at hand. 
Some strove with boldest courage then 
And daring fought like desperate men. 

What courage could avail them there, 
Caught in a bloody savage snare? 
Two struggling fell amid the rest, 
One's head lay on the other's breast ; 
And tresses fair, concealed before, 
On IVuman's breast lay red with gore. 

And with fair face and palid brow 
Looked on him almost dying now. 
Strange accident ! And are they dead ? 
Hark ! List ! And hear what now is .said, 
While savages for booty led 
Neglect to scalp the scattered dead. 

" How sweet in death ujjon this breast 
To lay the dying head to rest. 
And when our sjiirits leave the clay, 
Together mount to realms of day. 
Our souls shall journey on in love 
To perfect, endless bliss above." 



KM I 7;/>/;.v DEJj,. o/i 

'' I could not l)car, the jKirting there, 
And so res(jl\ed all things to dare. 
For love disguised his fate to share. 
Unknown to track him everywhere. 
I little thought so soon would close 
Our journey to death's dread rei)Ose. 
So soon would end love's hitter sj)ell. 
So soon we'd sjjeak life's last farewell. 

" l)Ut tyrant death we are thy slaves, 
And mother earth must gi\ e us graves. 
Dear mother eirth that grim death mars 
With little mounds — her battle scars. 
Hut they who sleej) like us unknown. 
Rol) tleath of monumental stone; 
For shafts that bear the dead one's name 
Are but d(';it]is monumental fame. 

•' r.ui love is all. and life is less. 
And time's a jcjurney through distress, 
\\ hile death's the gate to blessedness. 
ril ^einl\ kiss his forehead fair. 
And |>ari the ringlets o(" his hair, 
A wound more ghastly now is there. 
Perha|)S in death my lo\e he'll own. 
And bless mr with his (l\ing groan." 

ihese words smoie on \oung Truman's ear 
And on his ( Ju-ek he fell a tear. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 101 

Returning sense now caught each word 
And marveled much at what it heard. 
He ope'd his eyes with vacant stare, 
As one would gaze on viewless air ; 
And though disguised, he knew her there. 

'•Juanita, here! Great God!" he cried. 

But when he ope'd his eyes to chide, 

Her pleading eyes so well replied, 

He only said, " Ah, me! Ah me! 

Your life's to good to lose for me. 

But love like oak and clinging vine 

Tosrether clino- "mid shade and shine. 

Such is my love for one afar, 

"Tis drawn like needle to the star. 

And with such love as thine and mine, 

I'd offer prayer at heaven's shrine. 

There launch our souls that look above 

On ocean bosom of His love 

Whose name is Love. By this best known — 

By this adored before His throne." 

While thus he spoke an Indian passed 
Who heard, and angry glances cast. 
Who came with features fierce and bold, 
And robbed them of their gems and gold. 
He seized Juanita's flowing hair, 
A scalp so rare he could not spare. 



102 KDES DKLL. (fli 

He picrc cd its folds with keenest knife. 

In her desi)air — receded life. 

Quick, Truman, summoned all his might 

And frenzied by the horrid sight. 

Snatched from the Indian, where he knelt, 

The hatchet dangling at his belt. 

With sudden stroke he cleaved his brain 

And stretched him with the others slain. 

This effort caused fresh blood to flow. 
His vision failed, his pulse grew low. 
And conscious sense jiassed with the l)low, 
There, silent in that mountain vale 
Lay lovers ])allid, still and i)ale. 
And spirits wandered in a (lime 
Unknown, and recking not of time. 
One's head lay on the others breast. 
(Jne smiled a.>. if in jieaceful rest. 
And fan( ies wandered in the shade 
Where spirits meet, and dreams are made. 

Down in the glen the shadows grew 
And twined in puri)le and rosy hue. 
The sun sl()oi)e(l down, and did unfold 
His banners bright of red and gold. 
'I'he dying day did slowly fade, 
.And nature assumed a sadder shade. 
I'he woods bent o'er like an ar( hing sk\ . 
The evening bree/e. \\kv moiirni'rs sigh 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 103 

Wailed through the lonely forest nigh. 
And 'mid the twilight shadows gray 
The roaming panther stalked for prey. 
The whip-poor-will poured forth his strain, 
The night-owl hooted his refrain, 
And dismal in the distance dark 
The prowling wolf sent forth his bark. 
The lonely pines on mountain's brow. 
And weird groves in the valley bow 
Unto night's ghost of drowsy air, 
Like patriarchs in silent prayer. 

On nature's face shown devvy beads 
Like tears just wept o'er cruel deeds. 
While through the vale and woodland there 
An Indian camp fire threw its glare, 
And crimsoned with its tinge of red 
The distant sky that hung o'er head. 
And where the dismal embers glow 
Grim dusky forms move to and fro. 
And night with jjlumage of silence fell 
O'er the lives of some in that mountain dell, 
And draping the hills with her pall of gloom 
She bent like a mourner over their tomb. 



104 



j:i)i:\ jfi:LL, <>k 



CANTO SKVENTH. 

A KI\A1. AM> A FKAID. 

The day declined, and splendor fell 
From golden higlits o'er F.den Dell, 
(dad nature robed in emerald gay 
Smiled "mid the early flowers of May. 
The birds were warbling in their mirth 
And gladsome was the verdant earth. 

The beauteous day was almost i)ast 
The Sun his slanting arrows cast 
And shot his golden lances bright 
From out the gorgeous sunset hight. 
As it" he sought to drive away 
Night's cohorts dark in black array, 
That hovered o'er his glowing realm 
An it" with chaos to oerwhehn. 

As da\ de( lined, and shadows fell 
()\r wood and woltl, o'er hill and dell. 
And si)rea(l and grew in the evening lat( 
Fair I'.thel stood at the mansion gate; 



LOVE'S WAXDEBINGS. 105 

And gazed to see the evening star 

Rise in the crimson west afar. 

" O star!'' she said " with ray serene 

That proudly looks, and smiles a (jiieen 

The queen of love, bright Venus, thou, 
That glows upon night's sable brow. 
Like love a star that rules the night 
And heralds forth the coming light. 
That guides us throug'h life's setting day 
And guilds it with a gold pathway. 
Well named, well fed with sunbright rays 
So near the sun in sunbright blaze, 
r.ike love a star of brightest sod. 
One near the sun, one near to God." 

She sighed ' ' A year has slowly passed 
Since on his form I looked my last, 
Since standing here "mid shadows gray 
I said farewell to Truman Gr,)y. 
Sweet were the loving hopes he told 
Ere parting for the land of gold. 
O evening star, perhaps even now 
He turns to thee uplifted brow 
With sun-brown face and care-worn air 
Looks on thee with a wistful prayer. 

" But Beaumont comes with studied part 
As if I dare withhold mv heart. 



106 /•;/>/•; v ni:ij,. <>n 

Complacent hour, he seeks my love 
As hawk would seek to mate a dove 
Their lawful i^re) . he'd steal my wealth 
For love of gold and love of self. 
And burn me at a martyr's fire 
When e'er his i)assion lost desire. 
He cannot love, love is unknown 
To him who loves himself alone. 

"Ah wealth's too small a recompense. 
For lack of honor, heart or sense. 
To him that's absent V\\ be true 
While stars shall de( k yon crescent blue 
Or moons shed silvery light afar 
O'er waves that leap to grasp a star.'' 
A tear then dimmed her eye of blue 
.And s|)arklc(l like a droj) of dew. 

" Ciood eve Moiselle : \ o\\ muse and wait 

A^ if a lo\er lingered late. 

Itoui m\- abode across the \ale. 

While silling in thetwilighl pale 

I, ike Abram in the evening (ool 

When rare excei)lion nol ihe rule 

Two angels did btfore him pass ; 

1 s|)ir(l \()u with m\ ()|)era glass. 

.And as no angel passeil my wa\ 

I thouL'lit I'd vi-ck one, listen pra\ . 



LOVE' is WAXDERINGS. 107 

The gracious proffer that I made, 

A richer jewel ne'er was laid, 

At feet of woman. Is it true. 

Another answer is my due? 

With weal or woe that answer's fraught, 

A jewel for your wisest thought." 

" Kind sir, you come from very far. 
To see a maid gaze at yon star, 
When you can pluck it from its sphere, 
And lay it at m\- feet just here. 
You may receixe the wish you name, 
'Till then my answer is the same,'' 
'' Relentless one you do not mean?" 
" I mean it all, the golden sheen 
Of yon bright star, shall be the guide, 
To fix my hopes where they abide. 
For there were many ages when 
Stars fixed the destiny of men," 

"And there were times," he (piick re|)lied, 
"When woman's fickleness or pride 
Caused wars and slaughter, tears and blood. 
Disrupting States that long had stood. 
A Helen's fiiithless, truant mood 
Caused Troy's fall, and for ten years 
Broke round its walls a thousand sjjears." 



urn i:in:s dih.i.. oh 

'I'hcn she: "But wonian's truth ahjiu- 
Once hurled a ']"ar(|uiii from his thr<;ne. 
A Charlotte Corday in her wrath. 
Deposed a tyrant at his bath." 

" Ves, but a false Delilah made 
A Sampson's strength to wane and fade; 
And (Mytemnestras' murderous hand 
Slew, by dark fraud, that kingl\ man. 
Pierced, at the joyous festal board, 
The heart where she had reigned adored. 
Nor ( iiies unbesieged should boast 
'Till they've repelled the assailing host. 
Beauty 'gainst wisdom, that is thee; 
Wisdom 'gainst beaut}-, that is me." 

''You're wondrous wise, and fain would teach, 
None can withstand your ])olishe(l s|)eech. 
'I'hat (juestion's tested, if you j^lease. 
Beauty out-jjlead wise Socrates." 
'* How so? ah! 1 remember, too, 
The story's old and countetl true : 
Fair Fryne and Socrates were brought. 
Both for mi])iety the\- taught. 
Before the ( irecian judges, there 
To plead for life — one wise, one fair. 
The sage, he plead witji wisdom rare : 
Fair Fryne arose \\\\\\ modest air. 
lineiled her snowv bosom fair. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. loO 

And answered naught. From hence 

Beauty was wisdom's eloquence. 

The sage the deadly hemlock drank — 

Fair Pryne the grateful judges thank. 

' Thy gracious act and breast so fair, 

White-bosomed Pryne, thy life doth spare.' 

"But fie! had one, not wise but bold, 
Held in his hand some shining gold, 
Each judge's itching palm would say, 
' Not guilty, go thy honest way !' 
Then, where is beauty — wisdom ? See 
The gold is strongest of the three. '' 
" Is that your. fortress? Know this, then, 
I choose a man from noblest men. 
And gold is oft the crust, to hide 
The rubbish 'neath its polished pride. 
For oft true " gold o'er dusted's" passed, 
For " dust o'er gilded," till at last. 
The fraud's discovered and you scan, 
'Tis principle that makes the man." 

"You are sagacious at a hit, 

Who edged the diamond of your wit ?" 

" Not thine, but Beaumont in my mood, 

I seek not angry converse rude. 

Fd rather dwell on memories past, 

Than rainbow hopes the future cast. 



no EDEy DELL, OR 

They fade like buljhles on the main, 
But joys once tasted still remain, 
Like buried friends their image cheer. 
With face as bright and eye as clear, 
Within our souls, though their fair grace. 
The busy worms long since did taste. 
Naught can endure like joys of soul. 
All else fade like a bhi/ing scroll. 

" The mind, the soul immortal wings, 

Its flight above material things. 

What men call matter firm we find. 

Endures not like the viewless mind." 

Then Beaumont spoke, " Ive news that's strange. 

Vet o'er my hopes it brings a < hange ; 

It is a letter from a friend, 

That says ih\ loser met his end 

Bv robber hands upon the brink, 

( )f stream where he had sKJoped to drink. 

"A stream that glided near his door. 
They found him weltering in his gore." 
.\ shriek then rent the e\ening air. 
Two hands were lifted as in |)rayer, 
\\m\ luhel reeling, fainted there. 
.She would have fidln. but in alarm, 
(^uick Beaumont clayed her with his arm. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. Ill 

" O God I" she said with sobbing moan, 
'' It cannot be, to thee is known. 
If in the far wilds of the west, 
The clods lie o'er his pulseless breast. 
O death thou art a shadow here, 
A spectre ever following near ; 
Where ere we turn with sudden glare. 
Thy hollow eyes upon us stare. 
Thou sits a guest at every board, 
Grins with the miser o'er his hoard ; 
Entwines thy arm around the strong. 
Nor youth nor strength availeth long. 

'^O! life would be a sweeter dream, 

Did it not end in death's cold stream. 

Did we not hear the dismal roar. 

Of death's cold waters at our door ; 

And know no light nor cheering gleam, 

Shines o'er this dark Plutonian stream. 

That those who've crossed this Stygian shore. 

In all the ages gone before ; 

In all the many crossings o"er, 

Returning, cross it fir7'rr more. 

O death in life I O life in death ! 

The slow pulsations of the breath. 

Are but life's slowly dying death. 

For we consume the things which seem. 

To give us life, and thus we dream, 



112 KDKS I)J:LL. on 

That uc arc lixiiig. Ijrcatli sur\ive.s, 
l>iit \vc arc dying all our lives. 
But Oh I that human blood should pour, 
And human hands be dyed with gore." 

Then Beaumont, filled with anxious fears, 

J. est his rude message brought more tears, 

Bethought him he would be discreet. 

Lay his condolence at her feet. 

And tender what to her would be 

Or seem, the truest symi)athy. 

And thus he spoke, " O dearest dear. 

My heart's best idol and its ( hccr. 

Pardon m\ words that broke your jjcace, 

Pardon my selfish joys increase. 

That death should thus your vows release. 

It wounds my heart to see tiiy grief. 

Thy form shake like an aspen leaf. 

Thy velvet cheek and soft eye clear. 

Now crystaled by griefs briny tear. 

"True, i)Ut for death, life would seem bright, 

Antl earth scar< e have a starless night. 

We necr would stand bcsitlc the bier. 

And seldom see a falling tear. 

.\() ( ities of the silent dead. 

W ith sculptured shaft above ea( h head. 

No kiss to bloodless \'\\)s compressed. 

No |)alc brow that death hath pressed. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 118 

Then life would he a glorious dream. 
And earthly joys more what they seem. 
Then men would learn each foot of soil. 
For what, and how, and when to toil. 
Science and learning then would rule, 
Earth be one fam'ly, not an orphan school. 
While from the marts and vales of earth. 
Would rise the joyous notes of mirth. 
But such it is not; and the why? 
'Tis vrritten, ' man shall surely die.' 

" Yes, man must fade like Autumn leaf, 
Be garnered like the Autumn sheaf, 
Until the great and final day. 
When earth and sky shall pass away. 
Even rock-ribbed earth shall crumbling melt, 
The firmament be cracked and rent. 
The moon shall cease to shed her light. 
The stars to deck the vault of night. 
The sun plunge from his golden sphere, 
And darkling close his bright career. 
Then grieve not, Earth with all its joy 
Hath not one bliss without alloy ; 
Hath not one hope it may not blast. 
Hath not a joy that's doomed to last. 

And though we grieve from morn till eve, 
And constant sighs our l)Osoms heave 



114 KDES DEI.L. <>Jl 

From eve till morn, from day to day, 

Until we grieve our lives away; 

What boots it but a mind distressed, 

A feverish brow, and sad unrest? 

Then cheer up, fair and cherished friend, 

( )n (iod and truth and heaven dei)end." 

She weeping s])oke, " \'our words are kind. 

While mine were rude and unrefined. 

Such words of sympathy are rare, 

1 should have judged your cause more tair." 

Then gently leaning on his arm, 

With sense of sympathetic charm, 

They strolled up to the mansion door 

Where spoken farewells soon were o'er. 

The closed door shut her from his sight. 

Then Beaumont strode into the night, 

.\nd walking swiftly, shook his head, 

.\s darkly to himself he said : 

•• 1 trust he's dead, how false was 1, 

My friend wrote he would likely die. 

I'.ut this 1 \-ow with sullen brow, 

.And strength of will that naught shall bow. 

That I will maki- her think him dead — 

.\le, and no other, shall she wed." 



LOVE'S WANDERIXGS. 115 



CANTO ek;hth, 



THE CAPTIVES. 



Amid Sierra's Mountain wilds. 
Where earth lifts up her hugest piles, 
In snow-capped grandeur hoar and proud, 
Up through the ether to the cloud, 
Upon whose breast of snowy crown 
The angels stop in coming down. 
And spirits heavenward pause to rest 
Upon its tranquil snow-white breast — 
At least it seems it must be so — 
A stepping stone to worlds below, 
A place to plume the wing of flight. 
Up through the vast em])yrean hight, 
Toward the golden mansions bright, 
From which to leap and vault afar 
On to some bright and glowing star. 

And having journey thus begun 
Sweep onward to the central sun ; 
Sweep upward till the wings are bent 
O'er heaven's eternal battlement. 



1H; EDllS I>1:LL. oil 

I'"ar westward through these mountain wilds. 
Far northward tlirough their dark defdes. 
Now upward on the mountain side. 
Now downward through the \alley wide, 
A warrior waved his l)attle brand 
And led a fierce and savage l)and. 
Whose sable plumes in knotted hair 
Waved to the breezes and the air. 
Like crimson clouds at sunset low, 
The war i)aint on their faces glow. 
They had within their dismal train 
Two < ijjtives wounded, almost slain. 
.\nd one was fair, with raven hair, 
And one was sad with dark desjjair. 
One sought to ease the other's care. 
Oft smiled on him with h()j)eful air. 
Oft lifted eyes as if in ])rayer. 

The earl\ morn was ( risj) and ( nld. 

The sun now rose with shield of gold 
\\\i\ kindl) warmed with genial ray, 
The ether fields of g'owing day. 
Thev'd journey'd long, and joiirne\ M fir, 
And now seemed demons from a war. 
Who led in fierce and dismal gloom. 

Two (aptives to a horrid doom — 

jo burn them in a fiery tomb, 
( )r hurl tluMU down a uulf ol ^loom. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 117 

Through forest path and woodland wild. 
Where forests greet her forest child : 
They journey forward, journey on, 
While suns rise up, and suns go down. 

At length, toward a day's decline 
They pause in grim and serried line 
Upon a rough and rocky ledge 
That jutted o'er a mountain's edge, 
And saw the blood-red sun descend, 
Where sky and ocean seemed to blend— 
A monarch wrapt in scarlet gown 
That parting doffed his dazzling crown. 
The chieftain then his falchion waves. 
And turning, thus addressed his braves: 
" Warriors, our journey soon will close 
From toil and march we'll take repose. 
Far yonder on the mountain hight. 
That's dimly outlined to the sight. 
Upon the morrow, face to face. 
Meet sachems of our ancient race, 
'i'o counsel how our wrongs to ease. 
And the (ireat Spirit to api)ease. 

"The mighty spirit high in air. 

To whom the red-man lifts his i)rayer, 

Who sends the bison and the bear- 



118 FAJES DKLL. OR 

Wliosc voire is in the thunders roar. 
His foot-jjrints on the pathless shore : 
His eyes shine from the ghttering stars, 
Earth 'neath his footsteps tremljhng jars. 
His smile glows in the silent moon 
And lights the dazzling sun at no(jn. 

'* Von sun thai now "neath oceans ilood. 
Seems wra[)t and veiled and bathed with i)l()(jd, 
Tis omen red that blood be shed. 
To turn his vengeance from our head. 
A human victim then must bleed. 
To-morrow we'll sup|)ly the need. 
The jiale-faced captives, now our |)rize, 
Shall be the proffered sacrifice. 
Their smoking blood i)roijitious rise 
Uj) through the ether to the skies. 
Their ashes from the aU;ir i)la( e 
Be blown into the suns bright face."' 
A moment stood they silent there, 
A yell then rent the startled air. 
That seemed the \ ery earth to fill. 
And make the trembling sky to thrill. 
'Twa^ answered from a distant hill. 

And there ihey (•ami)ed. While twilight gray 
Stalked o'er the fields of parting day. 
Tlie night < ame down in mists of gloom. 
The distant mountain^ darkb loom. 



LOVE'S WAXDEBIXG. U9 

The captives weary, pale and weak, 

Dejected sigh, but do not speak. 

They hear the roaming panthers cry, 

The wandering night-owl passing by ; 

The distant coyotes dismal bark, 

And night seemed drear, and hope seemed dark. 

The yellow stars came one by one, 

From out the sky so dark and dun ; 

Like beams of light from angels' eyes. 

Or new-born hopes dropped from the skies. - 

At length the moon rose slow and pale, 
And pierced the gloom on hill and vale; 
And then rode on serene and grand, 
As guiding to the " better land ; "' 
As pointing with a look of love. 
To fairer worlds that smile above ; 
To distant stars and central suns. 
Where God hath housed his better ones. 

The mountains leaned against the clouds, 
And wrapped in snow, seemed in their shrouds. 
That band of pearls and silver s])ray. 
Heaven's jeweled arch, the milky way, 
Seemed as a wreath upon night's crown, 
Where angels stand in looking down ; 
There view earth\s troubled scenes of Time, 
With sad compassion, love sublime. 



J) 



120 i:i>i:\ i>j:ll. <>ii 

Iroivi oul ihc night a spcf iral shade. 
Shown oer the yontli and cajjtivc maid; 
And vast and shapeless gloomy stands, 
Obscuring heaven with bony hands; 
While through its ribs like dungeon bars. 
They dimly saw the ghastly stars. 
It stood a grimly, giant form, 
fji wrapt in mists of gloom and storm ; 
And towered through the vast expanse, 
With scowling brow, and ( yni( glance. 

While o'er them bowed its gastly face. 
That seemed to come and go through s])ace 
And beckoning with its bony hand, 
1 1 ])()inted down night's sable strand. 
While thus they gaze they dimly saw, 
Upon the hights the angels draw. 
Their noiseless bows. The arnAvs Hew 
And i)ier(ed tiie horrid monster through; 
liut still he rose more tall and grand. 
And here er wa\ed his bony hand. 

'1 he <apli\es tremble ; but we see. 
That shadow is dark Destiny : 
()utliniug on the future's scroll. 
The tests of time that tr\ the soul ; 
While from the heavens the angels view. 
O'er shadowing e\ il grasp the true. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 121 

And rear her grim distorted form, 
To take the soul l)y steakh or storm. 
While through each dark and fateful night, 
They shoot their arrows tipped with light ; 
And bid the ho])es that never set. 
On Star-crowned wings to linger yet. 




122 EDEy hi: LI., OR 



CAN'i'o M.\ rn. 

HIDDKN VAI.LK^, Al IHK STAKE. 

Far l^eyond the West and Northland, 
Far beyond tlie ])lains and Mooreland : 
Where majestic mountains tower, 
In their grandeur and their jjower. 
Where the liills rise rough and rocky. 
And the vales are deep and sombre; 
Stands a grand and rugged mountain. 
On whose side flows forth a fountain. 
Near a rock that beetles over, 
Like a shelter and a cover. 
To a < anon far below it. 

Could vou see it. could you know it, 
You would say that mountain nc\ er. 
Rose so grandly to dissever. 
The fair vale and the blue ether. 
I'air this s< ene amid the mountain, 
I*'air, the bright and sparkling fountain. 
Hid amid the hills and woodland ; 
With no e\e to \ iew its brightness. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 128 

And no lip to taste its waters, 

As it bubbles in its laughter ; 

At the weird and wild scenes blending, 

With the solemn sky o'er bending. 

In that canon calmly lying, 
Walled by cliffs, all storm defying ; 
Lay a lake beneath the mountain, 
"Neath the rocks, fed by the fountain ; 
Still and tranquil as the morning. 
Calm as lips well skilled in scorning, 
Clear as souls all guile disproving, — 
Cold as hearts unloved — unloving. 
Like the eye of Faith fixed riven. 
Gazing up alone to heaven ; 
With the cliffs like hopes around it, 
Reaching high but not to bound it. 

Reaching high, and reaching higher, 
Like some grand cathedral spire. 
Whispering to the clouds above it ; 
Heaven is foir and I will love it. 
In the night the stars are shining, 
Crimson suns at day's declining, 
Gild the clouds with silver lining. 
We can gaze without repining. 
Far upon earth's bosom lying 
Only human hearts are sighing. 



124 i:nKX VKLl., OR 

Thus the lake within the ( anon, 
Thus tlie mountains w ild antl rugged. 
'I'hus the waters looked to heaven, 
Pure as faith, cold, fixed and riven ; 
Thus the eagle of the northland, 
(iazed ujjon the Hidden Valley. 
Soared and flapped his wings with pleasure, 
Perched upon some pine or cedar, 
'I'hen arose, and in wild laughter 
Called his mate that followed after, 
hipped his i)lumage in the water. 
Soared from cliff to cliff still higher. 
Sought the sun, till nigher, nigher — 
They were specks amid its fire. 

Farther down this canon widened, 

Miles below it spread and widened, 

To a valley ri< h and charming. 

Filled with game unharmed — unharming. 

On whose breast, 'tis fair to see it. 

Shines a lake that nestles in it. 

Shines another lake and glistens 

Like a diamond in its ( asket, 

Like a brilliant set in emerald; 

Sparkling like a dew-gemed blossom, 

Or a pearl on woman's bosom. 

For the lake was as a mirror, 
(ilossy with the sunshine on it, 



LOVE'S WAyDEKJNGS. 125 

And bright landscapes dancing in it. 

With white pebbles on its margin, 

And the golden sands that glisten, 

While the wild deer pause and listen 

As they drink its placid waters. 

And the bubbling streamlets laughter, ^ 

As it ripples o'er the pebbles, 

Adds its new supplies to brighten, 

And its dancing surface whiten 

With its melted snows from mountain. 

And its bubbling like a fountain. 

With bright verdure spread around it. 
And the mountain sides to bound it. 
What can break its charm or sever 
Its wild music and its beauty ? 
'Tis a savage band with booty. 
With sad captives sitting drearv. 
As lone trees upon the prairie. 
By the storm king torn, disheveled, 
Shattered, branchless, and dismanded. 

Or like pines upon the mountain, 
Shivered by the lurid lightning ; 
When the wailing winds keep sighing. 
And the dismal rain is sobbing ; 
And the tempests' roar is roaring, 
And the plunging torrents pouring. 



126 i:i)E\ ih:li.. on 

Some arc sad, unci some arc lonely. 
Some scenes wild and rugged onl\ . 
Some hearts full of melancholy. 
Grieving o'er some ho])eless folly. 
Grieving over riches vanished. 
Ox some hoi)c that time hath banished. 
Brooding o'er some bitter sorrow. 
Dreading clouds and storms to-morrow, 
Hearts in gloom and sack-cloth dreary, 
Sighing sadl\. '• 1 am weary. 
Bright shall be my hearth-stone never. 
For my loved are gc^ne forever.'" 
These are weary. l)ut more weary 
Are lone cai)tives sitting dreary. 
Bound and waiting, only waiting, 
Powerless in their love or hating. 
With the future spread before them 
Like a bleak and stormy ocean. 
With no e\e to seek and love tlKMii, 
But the storm(lou(K bent al)o\c them. 

On the rock with sides so rugged, 
lieetling o'er the mountain jagged. 
Near the trees so lone and cragged, 
With the heavens far above them. 
.And the ( ai^on far beneath them. 
Sal a band of Indian w.irriors. 
lirootling o'er their ilK .md sorrows. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 121 

Dark and silent, stern and savage, 
Dreaming peaceful lands to ravish. 
With their fierce red demon faces, 
Savage as the tiger races. 
With their wampum belts around them, 
And their dangling scalps about them. . 

" Bring the captives, we will burn them, 
• We will torture, roast and turn them." 
Said a stern and gloomy chieftain, 
Who seemed chiefest and seemed spokesman. 
"They shall scorch and shrink to charcoal, 
'Till their ashes, scarce a handful, 
Shall be blown o'er all the landscape. 
That the pale-faced chiefs may tremble. 
When the warriors red assemble. 
Fly like eagles to their aeries. 
Swift as whirl-winds on the ])rairies. 
Nor their rifles scare the bison, 
For these lands we did inherit, — 
Thus we'll worship the Great Spirit."' 

The cai)tives were brought, one manly one fair. 
They trembled at naught, but smiled at despair : 
The captives were brought, but 'twas sweet even there, 
To behold how s/ie sought to dispel his despair. 

The captives were bound, on her wrists soft and fair. 
The thongs were tied round with the rudest of care; 



IL's l.liES hlJ.L. oil 

And then tlicy u crt Ictl to an altar of stone, 

Where a fire l)iirne{l l)right 'neath a tree cragg'd and lone. 

Then in soft Spanish tongue she said in firm tone, 
'* For this hrave loved and young, let me die alone; 
Hut save ///'w, his life a ransom will bring, 
He is god-like in strife, and great as a king." 

But " Nay, " said the chiefs, "a lily to die. 
Like a chieftain so brave? and a warrior to tly 
I'rom the terrors of death, like the timid of heart : 
Like the roe at the breath of the breezes to start, 

" And tremble uith fear? I'ie ! jiallid of face I"' 

Then Truman si)oke clear, with valor and grace ; 

'' 1 fear not the death, but how cowardly thou. 

If m\' hands thoult untie. I'll write * Cain * on thy brow.'' 

Then snapped his thongs with a\\ren(h, .snatched a torch 

from the treiu h. 
In the fa( e of the chiefs, its bla/es doth (piench ; 
Then he sprang like a deer, with the torch in his hand, 
To where, some steps in the rear, kegs of jiowder doth stand 

In the rifts of the ro( k. with rifles near b\ . 

With a bound and a knot k, and the words. '* All must die ;' 

(^)ui( k. he lifted the brand, while all held their breath, 

1 hell 'twas hurled from his hand, lo the red Mash of death. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 129 

Then he sprang from the rock, while there shot to the sky, 
A red glare, with a shock, that resounded on high; 
And the rocks and the cliffs, far to heavenward go ; 
To the height of the clouds, to be dropped far below. 

While the loud thunders peal, "till they shake the vast hill. 
And the earth seems to reel, clouds the valley to fill ; 
And the rocks strew the vale, by the lake and the rill, 
And the blue sky looks pale, ere the echoes grow still. 

And the rock that had hung, beetling over the vale. 
From its base had been swung, and now scattered the vale ; 
But where are the red chiefs, where the fair and the brave ? 
Do they soar on the cloud reefs, is the valley their grave ? 




:m) i:i>i:\ in:fj., on 



CANTO I i:n rn. 

I'HR A(;F.I) CHIKK. A l.KC.KND. 

Hright in tht- glowing east afar. 

In argent sheen sank morning star ; 

While fringed and drai)ed with golden lace, 

Aurora came with beaming face. 

One day had i)assed, the next begun — 

That glorious orb of day, the sun. 

Came forth his proud career to run. 

'Hie valley smiled beneath his rays. 

The nioiiniains rose to greet the day ; 

And lifted their uncovered head, 

To praise the (iod who blessings shed. 

The lake upon the \alle)s breast. 
Like cujisof silver lay at rest ; 
\'et sparkled in the sun and air. 
Like diamonds in a maiden's iiair. 
Like beautiful lake Conio, when 
She smiles amid her .Alpine glen. 
'I'he mountains girl the beauteous \ale 
With i)attUiniiils of cmrrald pale. 



LO VE \S WANDERINGS. 

As fair a gem "mid mountain sea, 
As the far-famed vale of fair Tempe. 

Toward the valley's farthest end, 
Behold an aged savage bend 
Upon his staff beside his cave. 
He was an ancient chief and grave. 
His head was bald, his locks were white, 
His eyes were sunk and dim of sight. 
His form was bent, his look was mild 
And years had flown since he a chjld 
Had wandered far o'er mountains wild. 
The cave wherein he did abide 
Was dark within the mountain side. 
With tremblmg limbs he trod the vale, 
With head all bare, and forehead pale. 

There on the morn of that f^iir day. 

In saddest plight 'rose Truman Gra\ . 

Wounded and bruised and sick and sore, 

Dejected by the griefs he bore. 

For having leaped from mountain edge 

.\nd rolled adown its rocky ledge. 

He scarcely had escaped with life — 

Near ended thus his hopes and strife. 

But landing on the brim of lake 

Its spongy soil his fall did Ijreak. 

He "rose benumbed and weak with pain. 

And wandered o'er the valley's plain. 



181 



l.SL' KDKX DKLL, OR 

With faltering steps along the brake. 
Me (loth his toilsome jcnirney take. 
Till passing up the valley higher 
He stamls beside the aged sire. 

■• Whose step is this that wander's by?" 
The old man said with startletl cry. 
•' A >tranger, wounded and distressed. 
Who seeks for shelter, food and rest,'" 
Said I'ruman Ciray, though scarcely each 
Could understand the other's spee( h. 
The aged said. "My welcome guest 
Enter my cave, take food and rest." 
He entered where the agetl dwelt. 
While grateful tlianks his bosom felt. 
And there abode he in that cave 
The old ( hief's guest, to nurse and save. 

While months jKiss on. and day^ t1\ by 
i,ike winds that bear the wanderer'^ sigh, 
They learned eac h others si)eecii to know. 
And strangeness turns to friendshii)'s glow. 
Together stroll they o'er the brake. 
Together angle in the lake. 
On game and herb^ and mountain trtuit. 
And springs that from the mountain spout, 
riu\ feast and drink ; till strength returns 
i'o Truman (irav. whose bosom \ earns. 



LOVE'S WANDERIXGS. 183 

And in his sweetest dreams doth start 

To clas]j the idol of his heart. 

Then wakes to find her presence flown, 

And he a distant wanderer lone. 

The ancient sire his thoughts beguile, 

And tells with weird and sober smile, 

The tales of distant years and days. 

Of hunts and wars and savage ways. 

Of the quaint legends of his race, 

Backward their lines of lineage trace, 

When in their pristine strength and prime 

They trod the banks of ancient time. 

For never yet did any race 

Backward its stream of lineage trace. 

But what in wonder and amaze 

They said ' What giants in those days.' 

Though weak to greatest tribes have grown, 

And greatest nations little known 

How through the mists of time to trace 

The ancient sires of their race, 

Still standing o'er their mouldering clods, 

'Hiey claim them off-springs of the gods. 

One legend did our hero please 

That told of ancient lands and seas, 

Of noble braves of paler face, 

The ancients of his ancient race. 

In language thus the legend ran, 

Thus slowl}- spoke the aged man. 



r.U EDES 1>ELL. OR 

IHK LK(iKNI>.^- 

Far across the world of waters. 

Far l)a( k in the time's fold. 
In a land of vines and sunshine. 

Dwelt the jnile-faced warriors hold. 
In a land of templed cities. 

Walled about with stone and earth. 
The (ireat Spirit was their father. 

He ruled and gave them birth. 

There u|)on the cultured hill-sides, 

.\nd mid vales of fruit and \ine. 
Dwelt the ancients of m\ |)eoi)le. 

And in ])eaceful glory shine. 
C'hildren of twehe mighty l)rothers, 

Who were c:hieftains in their time. 
Dwell in tents and hertled ( aitle. 

In lliat land of milder (lime. 

To that land the sj)irit led them, 

.\n(l upon a mountain hight. 
Mid thunder and dread lightning, 

(ia\e them laws to guide aright. 
And His form was like the lightning, 

rinmder bolts were in his hantl; 
A < louil l>y day, a light by night, 

lie li-d them to that land. 

♦This loKeiul Ih lulcniltNl to itiili( lite the IiKllims fis tile <li'Si(Mi<iRnl.« of tin 
tell l«)Ht trIbi'H of Israel. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 135 

There they dwelt and grew in numbers, 

In the distant days of yore ; 
More than stars in heaven unnumbered, 

Or the sands upon the shore, 
(zrew in riches and in si)lendor — 

Grew in knowledge, arts and peace ; 
Ruled by Kings and chiefs of grandeur, 

While their glory did increase. 

After years of peace and plenty, 

After famine, wars and fame; 
Came from out the morning sunrise, 

A King of mighty name. 
Shalmanezer, King of Ninus, 

King of city great and proud ; 
With his host of mighty warriors, 

To the blast of bugles loud. 

Then with fire and sword he ravished, 

All that quiet, peaceful land ; 
And his conquering warriors slaughtered. 

With a fierce and bloody hand. 
Till the wailing of the women, 

And the orphan'd children's cry, 
Rose above the tallest mountain, 

Sobbed and echoed to the sky. 

Then the King said, -'gather, gather, 
All the ten tribes, great and small, 

10 



1:^6 KDKX DKLL. OR 

From the vallc\s and the mountains, 

And banisli one and all. 
Lead the captives to the Northland, 

To the ice-clad land of snow ; 
They the children of the Spirit, 

My wrathful curse shall know." 

For the mighty King and warrior, 

K\'\\ King and warrior proud : 
Had sent forth this proclamation, 

To the distant nations loud. 
*• These are my human sa(rifi( e. 

Sent unto the rising sun ; 
To the seas far north and eastward, 

Thev their journey have l)egun. 

"There ui)on the distant ocean, 

Bright ui)on the sunrise seas; 
'I'hey shall glide into the sunrise, 

Wafted by the golden breeze." 
Onward marched the gloomy cai)tives. 

(niarded through the distant land ; 
Over ])lains of emerald Ncrdurc, 

Over streams of golden ^an(l. 

Hv the wrc( ks of ruiiu-d temples. 

Through the land of unknown gods; 
Through the wilds of many woodlands, 

Where the hunter never trod. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS, 137 

By many an orient city, 

Through many barbarous tribes; 
Over snows and frozen rivers, 

Trod the remnant of ten tribes. 

Trod and journeyed, weak and weary, 

'Till their tired limbs had bled ; 
You could trace their toilsome pathway, 

By their blood and scattered dead. 
'Till upon the shore of Waters, 

Did the feeble captives weep ; 
As in boats, but rude constructed, 

They were launched upon the deep. 

Launched upon the World of Waters, 

As the sun rose o'er its waves ; 
An oblation to the sunrise, 

Launched both children, wives and braves. 
And their captor guards returning, 

Sent across the sea a shout ; 
"Till the captives hair stood upward, 

And the rising sun went out. 

Then 'mid murky seas and darkness, 

Scattered, desolate and lost : 
On the world of mighty waters. 

They were whelmed and tempest- tossed ; 
'Till the sun came out in brightness, 

And they drifted to this shore ; 



138 KDKS DEL I., <fR 

But their hair stood up Hke l)ristles. 
As it never stood before. 

And their faces pale and paUd, 

Were dark and red like gore ; 
And they journey on and travel. 

And will travel ever more. 
The Ciood Si)irit sent them hither, 

Sent them to this silent shore 
Where were many bear and bison 

In the hunting days of yore. 

Here they roved from North to Southland 

Till tliey spread o'er all the land. 
And they worship the Great Spirit 

Who their fathers did command, 
Whose voice is in the thunder 

And who rules the stormy sky. 
Whose hand lifts up the mountains 

And sets the stars on high. 

\\'e. the red-faced ( hild of forests, 

.Are descendants of the gods. 
The (lood Spirit breathed \\\)0\\ us 

.\u(l formed us from the clods. 
And when life's jotirney's ended 

We shall meet the Sj)iril there. 
In the hunting grounds of promise 

lar amid the realms of air. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 139 



CANl'O ELEVENTH. 

THE RESCUE AND THE RED PALADINS. 

The mountains dressed in robes of snow 
'Rose from the tranquil vale below, 
And bathed their brow of snow)- white, 
Far up in the empyrean hight, 
In clear blue sky that bent above, 
As if to press a kiss of love. 
In whose translucent depths of air, 
As rose the sun in splendor fair, 
Shone sparkling gems of crystal clear, 
Like diamonds 'mid the atmosphere. 

The frosty corruscations bright. 
Like glittering jewels charmed the sight. 
And winter spread her snowy vail 
O'er mountain tojj and verdant dale. 
The mountain columns seemed to })ry 
Into the clouds and prop the sky ; 
And make a lofty temple grand 
Of azure sky and fleecy land. 



\M) EDEN DELL, OR 

Ol't ere the sun with l)riniant smile 
Rose uj) beyond their hughes't pile. 
Trod Truman (iray with footsteps light, 
A snowy path "long mountain hight, 
And hastened on with thoughtful mien. 
Whose earnest eye, and vision keen 
Took in the grandeur of the scene. 
He paused now^ on the mountain side, 
And viewed the landscape far and wide, 
And scanned with anxious eye the tide 
Where rolls Pacific's waves of pride. 
Brushed from a rock its snowy crown, 
And on its mossy edge sat down. 

He oft had journeyed to this sjjot 

'[\) muse, and there i)ewail his lot. 

" Since strength came back, and in yon cave 

.My home's been with the aged brave, 

Oft here I've come," he said "to view 

I'he bay and ocean's waves of blue. 

In hojje some ship might hug this shore, 

I reach it — and my wanderings o'er. 

Hut Fate's adverse, these mountain wilds, 

.\n(l drifts of snow in dark defiles, 

And winters stormy blasts deny 

To rea( h the settlements, I try. 

Far on yon wa\es of shimmering light. 

Some (.listant sails have blessed my sight, 



LOVE'ti WANDERINGS. U\ 

Like gleams of hope they came and passed 

To leave a sadder breast at last. 

For Hope doth span this sea of life 

With all its waves of stormy strife, 

As yon cerulean vault of blue 

Doth span the rolling waves I view. 

And yon majestic surging sea. 

Fit emblem of eternity, 

Is Hke man's soul, 'tis never free, 

Amid life's storms that darkly lower, 

Amid her calmest, peaceful hour. 

From strife and rolling tides of thought. 

Where rain-bow hues of hope are caught. 

'• Hope is the polar star of night 
That God hath set to fix the sight 
And bid the soul look unto Him 
Before Whose light the sun is dim — 
Whose gaze the solid earth can melt. 
As if a thousand suns did belt 
Its form with all-consuming fire. 
O lift my soul unto Thee nigher, 
O kindle Hope's eternal fire, 
Thou light across life's narrow sea, 
That lights my soul's eternity I" 

His was the mind that loved to view 
God in nature. And there he drew 



14l> El) ex DKI.L. "I: 

Fresh inspiration, for nature's grace 
Seemed more familiar than man's face. 
Her beauty pleased his mind and eye, 
Infused fresh hoj)e and calmed each sigh, 
And hid his heart and faith look higher. 
Unto the soul's immortal Sire. 

He was not of the sneerini^r kind 
Who thought it showed a lack of mind 
To acknowledge* (iod as one divine, 
Or own the Mand that framed the skies 
Was grandly strong and wondrous wise. 

Oh Shame! to lift the |)un\ arm. 

A throbbing brow, and lip of scorn — 

A beat of heart or i)ulse of brain, 

A little span of joy and pain. 

A gasj) — a breath — we call the life. 

And challenge to forensic strife, 

( )miiis( ieiit wisdom who made all. 

And ( entral ^uns for his foot ball. 

Next to revealed and nature's (lod. 
W'iiose face shone o'er the path Ik- trod. 
N\'as her whose charm of soul and fa«e 
Lit brighter lamps of heavenly grace 
Within his heart, and there begun 
lo be affections" < eiUral sun. 



LOVE'S Wanderings. us 

Like bursts of joy in life's June, 

She'd set his song of hfe to tune ; 

Whose music through its crystal sphere 

Rose like an anthem rich and clear, 

To charm with gladness and to cheer. 

Next to his (jod she nobly stood, * 

Divinely fair, divinely good. • 

For hours he mused his wandering o'er, 
Then saw a ship approach the shore. 
He hurried down the mountain side, 
And pressed toward Pacific's tide. 
The coast seemed near unto the sight 
When viewed from off the mountain hight — 
Unto the eye seemed scarce as far, 
As Ajax tossed a mace of war ; 
And yet 'twas many miles away, 
Scarce could be reached within one day. 

He hastened on with urgent speed, 

For much he felt an urgent need ; 

'Till past the mountains, 'mid the hills, 

A sudden fear his bosom thrills ; 

As through a rocky vale he sped, 

An arrow passed above his head. 

As if by magic in his path, 

Three warriors rose with frown of wrath ; 



144 EniLW DELI.. OR 

Spoke not, but silent red and grim. 
With folded arms they looked at him. 
A chill passed through his startled blood, 
He paused and for a moment stood ; 
Then leaj^ed the rocks with nimble feet, 
And bounded like a reindeer fleet. 

Though strong of limb, and swift of race. 

The Indians followed not in chase ; 

But silent for a moment's spell. 

One raised his hand and gave a yell ; 

When o'er the vale and rocky dell, 

A hundred braves like magic rose. 

And stood like statues in repose. 

.•\s if the wizard blast of Duh, 
• Had raised from earth his clansmen true ; 
.As if the Dragon's teeth were sown, 
'I'hey 'rose from shrub and tree and stone, 
Armed with hatchet, bow and gun ; 
Surrounded thus, he ceased to run. 
Judged from their ambush and array. 
They meant to ( ai)ture, not to slay. 

He (aimed himself and sought the < hief, 
.\nd asketl if on accpiaintance brief 
He'd lend a guide to ocean's shore. 
That he might roam these wilds no more. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 145 

The chief spoke not, but spurned his hand, 

And ordered, with a stern command, 

The prisoner bound both foot and hand. 

Thus Destiny did darkly loom, 

A spectre still enwrapt in gloom. 

Nor 07ie was there, with gentle will, 

To smile away each gloomy chill ; 

While night came down and winds were high, 

And fateful clouds bespread the sky. 

Next morn the sun, with brilliant glance, 
Arose and shook his dazzling lance, 
And golden banners did unfurl, 
And shivered light upon the world. 
The red men 'rose and did advance 
To Avildly dance the fierce war-dance. 

'Ere eve they bring the prisoner 'round, 

And to a tree he's tightly bound. 

They then stand off and hatchets throw. 

As if to brain him at a blow; 

And pleased such torture can give pain, 

They try it o'er and o'er again. 

And then, their horrid torture done. 

Demand that he the " gauntlet "' run ; 

Now, women fierce and warriors brave, 

Provide themselves with club and stave, 



146 KDKS DEL I., olt 

And form two lines, witli space between. 
And sternl) stand wiih savage mien. 

'* Few carry hope wlio enter there. 
Who i)asseth through their Hie we sjjare." 
With sinking heart and stubborn breath, 
He bounded through this lane of death. 
As quickly, sternly, on he goes, 
He staggers 'neath the fearful blows. 
Showered thick and stern as winter snows. 
He presses on through that red host, 
He staggers — reels — and all is lost. 

But no! marines, from siiip on coast, 
Rush on them, with a sudden shout, 
'I'hat put the c ruel braves to rout. 
'I'his was the U. S. na\al ship 
"Defiance," on a western trip. 
Bound from "Francisco, up the coast 
To visit some new naval post ; 
From thence, to cross Pacific's strand, 
And visit j)()rls in far japan 

A vacant i)ost, with ample pay. 
Was offered 'i'ruman on that day. 
Which he accepted, for 'twas vain 
lo sooner homewartl turn again. 
So, o'er the wide and rolling sea. 
The ship .sailed on majestically. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. ]4: 



CANTO TWELFTH. 

WHAT SHADOWS WE ARE — EUROPEAN TOUR. 

The day was drizzling, damp and chill, 
As the gloomy hearse came up the hill ; 
Came up the hill in the little vale, 
Came where the strickened ones l)ewail. 
With silent tongue to tell its tale 
Of man's mortality. Who can read ? 
A thousand tongues speak in the deed, 
A thousand hearts have need to bleed, 
Where wave its plumes, and pause its steed. 

What forms once proud, now cold and bowed 
What sunlight quenched by murky cloud, 
What nerveless limbs in pallid shroud; 
What pulseless heart no longer swells, 
But cold within its prison cells, 
Its solem pause, its presence tells ? 
Yon youth with haughty brow and form, 
And manhood .strong to breast life's storm, 
And wrinkled age and beauty gay. 
May need it ere another day. 
To add clay to its mother clav. 



148 KDFX DKTJ.. OR 

Who hath not in the solemn niglit, 
Dreamt that liis spirit look its flight, 
And felt the dismal hearse that bore 
Him to the grave's imhinging door. 
Then felt his heart sink low to hear 
The clods that rattled o'er his bier. 
And prisoned in his narrow bed. 
Torn hair from his despairing head? 

Who hath not in sleep's fancy flight. 

Beheld a gulf yawn in his sight, 

Of deep unmeasured gloom and dark — 

A void where hoi)e could glean no spark- 

And felt his spirit sinking down. 

And falling, thought its dei)ths prcjfountl : 

Who hath not caught a glimi)se of death. 

And jiaused in dream to catch his breath. 

On the (l:i\ before a shadow fell 
On the hai)py home at Hdcn Dell. 
A shadow tlial falls on every home, 
.\ shadow that dwells in every dome. 
In every bright and sunny vale. 
In ever\- breath of Summer gale. 
In everv smile of lovely lace, 
Bewitching form or charming grace. 
Lurks in each bright and laughing eye, 
Pursues eac h footstej) |)assing b\ . 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 149 

As the hearse came up the sloping lane, 

The sad, pale face of Ethel Vane 

Looked out on the chill and dismal air, 

While her soul was bowed in hopeless prayer. 

And as she sorrowed and repined, 

She, weeping, said: "Thou wert good and kind, 

Oh, my father, dear! None now can cheer, 

For thy form lies cold and coffined here, 

Soon to be borne to thy narrow rest 

'Neath the clod of the vale. And thy breast 

Once so warm, and thy arm once so strong 

To protect in thy love, ere long 

Shall be dust unto dust, dust, dust. 

Life has passed, soul has passed from its clay, 

Passed from earth and from sunlight away. 

I am fatherless, — orphaned to-day. 

Life is brief, hopes are brief — most brief, — 

Tears of grief cannot bring us relief. 

They but hide the chill earth, like the leaf. 

Let us hope, let us love, let us trust, — 
For we live, it is life, and we must. 
Let us dream there's a home for the just, 
Where the soul cannot moulder to dust ; 
Where the flowers that bloom never fade, 
Nor bright forms sleep for aye in the shade. 
And the eyes that are loving ne'er close 
For death, or the tomb's dark rei^ose. 



KDKS DKLL. OR 

Farewell, oh, my father : no more 
Shall we meet, lest it he on that shore 
Where farewells are spoken no more ; 
Where the heart that is weary shall rest 
In the home, in the Isles of the Blest. 
When the dream of this life shall be i)assed, 
Shall we meet, oh, my lather : at last?" 

And friends stood near, with silent tear 
And kindest sympathy, to cheer. 
And guarded, as a sacred trust. 
The last remains of j)ulseless tlu.st. 
Attending, on its Inirial day, 
The remnant of once living clay. 
Hut living hearts are more distressed 
Than those that sleep in throbless breast,— 
And eves that shed the mournful tear. 
Than those well (losed within the bier. 

Ah : what (an heal the wounded heart. 
l-Airact from grief its stinging smart, 
And bid the sad and troubled soul 
lie calm amid the storms that roll? 
Not earthly sympathy can fill 
The "aching void," and sorrow still, — 

Tis heavens work the soul to save. 
And (aim life's tempest and its wave. 



LOVE'S WANDEIUXGS. 151 

And noiseless steps and silence there, 
Showed death was in that mansion fair. 
And hearse, with sable plume, at door 
Would bear what would return no more, 
The master of its stately hall, 
To two by six of earth, — his all. 
Now o'er that face with soft brown hair, 
Over that heart so bowed by care. 
Was shade of grief and sad despair, 
"Twas sorrow's vail of sombre touch. 
That showed the heart had suffered much. 
Not that dark pall that mourners wear, 
To hide the grief they do not share ; 
But on the eyes fair azure scroll 
Was written sorrow to the soul. 
Beaumont, her lover, then stood near. 
With others 'round her father's bier, 
And strove with sympathy to cheer. 



After the service sad and brief, 
And hearts were touched with silent grief. 
The solemn i)rocession moved away 
To where they lay the coffined clay. 
Amid the drizzle, chill and gloom, 
J'hey lowered it in the open tomb. 
" Ashes to ashes," the j)reacher said 
And bowed in prayer above the dead. 
11 



152 KUKX DEI J.. (HI 

And here througli ages ha\ e laid them down, 
I'he wearer of rags or kingly crown. 
In the earth they rest, the mouldering dead. 
While the world moves on with restless tread. 
As it soon will move above your head. 
Dost doubt it ? "Tis a common tate, 
The seed is jjlanted, — only wail. 



lUit months fly by, and tears must dry. 
And hearts forget each sad good-by. 
And cheeks will bloom that grief did waste. 
Forgetting sorrow's bitter taste. 
The sun as brightly glow and shine. 
And other loves the heart entwine. 
And other thoughts the mintl enij^loy, 
While toynig with some earthly toy. 

Ami life move on its tread-mill way 
As it hath moved for many a day : 
Klse life would be a darker doom. 
Than To|)het's shades or IMuto's gloom. 
So live and love that sober grief 
Alone, may sadden life too brief: 
Nor tear and wound the a( hing heart. 
!,et Gilead's balm relieve the smart : 
And He who said, "("ome, and 111 bear 
Tin- burden of thv everv care." 



LOVE\S WANDERINGS. 153 

'1- A^ ^< <■ 

-> ^ ^< ;i^ 

On a beautiful summer day, 

A ship rode out of New York Bay. 

Rode on, and on, toward the sea. 

Like a stately sea-bird proud and free, 

While on her crowded deck there stood, 

A group of tourists in gay mood. 
Then Ethel spoke and raised her hand, 

" Look out upon yon beauteous span 
Of water's blue and azure sky. 
And stately ships that pass us by. 
And tell what poetry is there?" 
Beaumont replied, " If truth be fair. 
Upon the tide or in the air, 
The surge of waves, the roll of sea, 
Is drear commotion unto me."' 

Then Ethel spoke with earnest soul, 

"The waves in their playfulness roll. 

The air has the flush of rich gold, 

And the sky seems the earth to enfold. 

With curtains of soft azure hue. 

Draped and arched o'er a world of sea-blue. 

The sun with the fervor of prayer 

Looks down in rich splendor so fair, 
And the gleam and the glow of his rays. 
Like the flush of a cheek at its praise. 
Like the flash of a bright rolling eye, 
Thrills and warms the soft soul of the skv 



l.-,4 KDES DJ:J.I., or 

The ships come and go in their glee, 
Like worlds on the breast of the sea — 
Like souls with a haven in \iew. 
Seem strong to go on and be true. 
And the shores basking dim in the day. 
Like dark times of old, fade away — 
Like hopes that have flown with the past, 
Like shadow's dark memories cast." 

Then Beaumont said, '' I little share 

Vour love for nature's beauties rare, 

And i)Oetry and art, "lis jjlain. 

Are merely softness of the brain, 

A milk and water diet rare, 

Of sun-beams. rain-lK)ws, and pure air. 

'• \\\\\ vou ha\e made,"' fair Kthel said, 
"A sad mistake of heart and head. 
The i)oet's eye was made to view 
The beauties of the good" and true. 
The grandeur of the earth and sky. 
And gems of truth that never die. 

" It^ j.rovinc e is to glad unfold. 
'I'he wealth of heart, the beam of soul. 
'Ihis wealth is greater far than kings. 
Or gold, or j)()wer's pleasure brings 



LOVE'S WAXDERIXG. 15- 

'Tis bliss of thought, 'tis food for brain, 
Who taste will wish to taste again. 
x\nd nature's beauties ever stand 
The wonders of a matchless hand, 
Where lofty minds may walk abroad 
And catch bright glimpses of its lord. 
As in a temple grand view 
Its varied beauties ever new. 
And gazing thus the mmd unfurls 
To beauty richer than all worlds, 
And treads the temple of its God, 
Like rainbow resting on the sod, 
Yet lifting its empyrean head 
Beyond where burning suns are fed." 

Then he replied: " But is it due 

To call exaggerations true ? 

His silver linings, golden hues, 

His rainbow tints, and crystal dews, 

That gloss his fabrications bold ; 

Is truth diluted — overtold, 

The tinsel glitters, not the gold." 

"Yes, partly; we'll admit it true, 
But poets take a grander view ; 
Remove the rubbish and the screens, 
And look on noblest sights and scenes. 
And viewing life 'tis his to see 
Oft not what is. but what should be. 



156 EDKS nill.L. OR 

lor instance, let (jne take a stroll 
Through (juiet vales where streamlets roll. 
And view a peaceful hamlet there 
'Mid sloping meads of verdure fair, 
With warbling songsters in the trees, 
And balmy fragranc e on the breeze. 
With niodest church sjtire in the air 
Serenely j)ointing souls to jjrayer, 
And ([uiet scenes, un vexed by creeds. 
Becalm the breast to gentlest deeds : 
He says, 'how peaceful, and how fair 
This lovely vale and languid air I 
It seems a heaven here begun, 
Nor sweeter spot beneath the sun.' " 

And sn( h it should be, but ah: then 
Should he learii this: rude, (juarrelsome men 
Dwell in that vale, and women fair 
Tattle and scatter scandal there ; 
The (lock that seeks" the ( hurch he viewed 
Are torn by faction — ( ursed b\ feud 

This breaks the charm. When tlii^ we see 

'Tis thai whi( h is, but should not be. 

Tin- |)oet's mission was to \ iew 

What there seemed beautiful and true: 

it was the fiult of man that there 

Was strife where should be peace and i>rayer. 



LOVE'S WAXDERIXGS. 151 

'•True poetry is meant to raise 

Truth's standard— point to duty's ways, 

ToTift the world's e}e, bid it view 

Earth's noblest joys forever new, 

And make such standards and such goals 

As fit the grandeur of our souls ; 

To elevate the plain of life, 

Strew flowers amid its sordid strife : 

Bid spring's perennial burst and flow 

Along the dusty paths we go ; 

To glad our hearts and cheer our ways, 

And point our souls to brighter days. 

" There's poetry in earth and sky, 

'i'o thrill the soul and charm the eye; 

In every star, in every flower. 

In every calm and verdant bower ; 

In every rill that seeks the sea. 

In every tone of melody. 

'Tis in the bright and sweetest mood 

Of all things beautiful and good." 

" For your sake I'll believe it true, 

But transient as the morning dew.'' 

" Not so,'' she said, "for this I hold 
Thought is eternal as the soul. 
And poetry's the life of thought, 
And its creations nobly wrought. 



158 EDES PELL. <ill 

Arc more eiKlurinjj; than tlic land — 
The hills thai rise, the groves that stand. 
Karth(iuakes may level, time decay. 
But thought and mind ne'er pass away : 
I'hey journey on through endless worlds. 
Where souls expand and niind unfurls." 

He answered thus: '* But then I hold 
'Tis useless stuff. What's beams of goki 
And silver lakes and Jasper seas, 
P>ut ideal nothings — phantasies?'" 
*• Poetry is useful. It dresses truth 
In fadeless beauty, endless youth ; 
Consigns foul wrong to dark desi)air. 
And lifts the soul that bows in jirayer. 
"ris dowered with strength to helj) the weak 
To chami)ion right and raise the nu-ek. 
Without its heavenly smile to ( hecr. 
Karlh would seem dark and life seem drear. 

"And this we know, and this we feel. 
'Tis the ideal makes the real, 
(lod thought of earth and it uas made. 
Man thought of temi)les ere were laid 
Their deep foundations, and in air 
Rose up their forms of l)eauty rare. 

l'',re shone the S( ul|)t()rs work refined. 

A daintier form was in his mind. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 159 

And beauties that on canvas gleam 
Are but the painter's inner dream ; 
And ere the poet touched the lyre, 
His soul thrilled with his words of fire. 
Men oft let grossness pull them down ; 
Weigh soul and matter by the pound, 
Nor seem to know that power of mind 
Hath ever ruled and swayed mankind; 
And solid matter round it stands 
As lumps of clay in potters' hands." 

" But see yon ship. There is a face 

Seems bright with some familiar grace. 

Upon the deck amid the crowd, 

His face all sadly pale, and proud 

He stands in manly posture grave, 

And gazes here across the wave. 

How earnest is his wistful gaze I 

I've known that face in other days, 

And yet my memory cannot trace 

The time, the person, or the place. 

Upon the shi}) I read her name, 

" Defiance," AVho knows whence she came?" 

They {jause and look, and then renew 
Their theme, till ends the interview. 
And turning from the deck, they soon 
Were chatting in the gay saloon. 



l«(i KDKS DKLL. OR 

For days and weeks the ship rode grand 
Far o'er the waves to a foreign land, 
Borne by her engine and the breeze 
Across the rolling "hollow seas,'' 
With precious freight she nobly braves 
The wind, the tempest and the waves ; 
Like sea gulls in her flight she came, 
" Like a thing of life" she rode the Main. 

'1 o ease the sorrows gone before, 
Fair Ethel visits many a shore. 
Attended by some worthy friends 
Whose i)resence social i)leasure lends ; 
" Does'" Europe and the Briti.sh Isles, 
Views London shops and Paris styles ; 
Looks on the Ali)S with glaziers grand 
And on the vales of Switzerland: 
And 'mid Italia's sunny dime 
Looks on the pride of ancient time. 
Her verdant jjlains and orange bowers, 
Rome's crumbling piles and ruined towers 
St. Peters" s|)irc thai towering sits 
Above its dome and minarets ; 
Venice, X'ienna. Berlin. Bath, 
Lie in the ( ire Ic of her jiatli : 
She strolled where red-ripe suns inc line. 
Oer vine (lad bowers along the Rhine, 
And breathed the ( ool refreshing breeze 
l"rom Baltic and the Northern seas. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 161 

And while in Rome, on a lovely night, 
They went to view, by bright moonlight, 
The Coliseum, grand and tall, 
And wander through its spacious hall. 
Grand, gloomy, there it silent stood. 
And they felt the chill of its lonely mood. 
Its grandeur seemed the heart to still 
And all the soul with grandeur fill, 
Which then 'rose up, supremely free, 
To grasp for God and sympathy. 

The scene was weird and wondrous grand 

The relic of a wondrous land. 

Where Rome, proud mistress of the earth, 

Held cruel carnival and mirth, 

Delighting in the horrid feasts 

Of Christians torn by savage beasts ; 

Defenseless maids, the lion's prey, — 

And gladiators wound and slay. 

It 'rose so grand, so towering high, 

It seemed to arch the very sky, 

And lift its walls of mossy stone. 

Like ruins of a world unknown. 

These two strolled from the rest aside 
And sat beneath an archway wide. 
Beaumont and Ethel, side by side. 
I^ach, for a time, was strangely still, 
While thought and funcy roamed at will. 



162 /;/>/•; .V DELL, on 

She mused uj)()n sad memories j^ast. 
While he admiring glances cast 
On her, whose face, in tran(|uil light, 
Shone with angelic halo bright : 
And seemed, in sunlight or in shade, 
'i"he fairest good the gods e'er made. 

And bending near, he did dec lare 
His love and hopes; asked her to share 
His love and life — to be his wife. 
His guardian angel 'mid earth's strife. 
He said : *' Amid the wreck and gloom. 
Where these vast ruins grandly loom. 
He felt companionship a need, 
A i)ulse to beat — a heart to bleed 
In sympath) . That desc^lation lone 
Might never claim him as its own ; 
Nor ruin brood where jo\ should smile. 
As o'er this solitary pile. 

And he, to woman's lo\e unknown. 

Though sceptered on earth's grandest throne, 

Like this vast j)ile, doth dreary stand — 

A ruin 'mid the fairest land; 

I'or (Jod made woman's noble lo\ e 

()f |ture and rarest joys above. 

And |jut man's earthly hea\en in it. 

If he's but worllu andean win it. " 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 163 

Then Ethel mused, and answered low : 
*' The moonlight o'er these ruins glow 
And gives dark shadows to the walls : 
So memory's twilight sadly falls 
Upon the ruined wrecks that rise 
Within my heart. Its broken ties, 
Once grandly fair, stand sad and drear, 
Like shadows o'er these ruins here ; 
And memories light alone is cast 
O'er crumbling idols 'mid the past. 
These, all my love and reverence claim, 
A memory — what you please — a name ; 
A dream of bliss, a joy once mine, 
An idol wrecked within its shrine. 

" I fear not desolation drear, 

rd rather sit 'mid ruins here 

And muse on joys that come no more, 

Than tread on pleasure's verdant shore. 

These scenes accord w^ith scenes within, 

The wreck of joys that might have been. 

I have no love, no heart to give ; 

The heart that once did glow and live 

Is in a lone grave far away — 

Dug "mid the past. There let it stay." 

The moon now darkened by a cloud 
Threw o'er the scene a sombre shroud, 



1H4 Ki>K\ i>i:ll, on 

And, like the ( lods thrown on a l)ier. 
Some distant foot-falls efhoed clear: 
And pausing in the words they said 
They heard the watchman's lonely tread- 
More distant and more solemn fall, 
And echo from the dismal wall. 
Then, in the jiause, the owlet's cry 
Awoke the startled air near by 
As both arose. Each breathed a sigh ; 
And 'mid the moon-light and the shade. 
They vanished as two shadows fade : 
Amid the grandeur and the gloom. 
Where Rome's jjroud ruins grandly loom. 




LOVE'S WAXDERLYGS. 160 



CANTO rHIRTEENTH. 

WHAT SHADOWS WE PURSUE — WRECKED. 

Some months before the scene just past, 
The ship, " Defiance,'' anchor cast, 
And on that bright midsummer day 
Rode proudly into New York Bay. 
And Truman Gray, all smiling fair, 
Breathed with fresh joy his native air. 
And stepping on his native shore 
He thought to turn and roam no more ; 
For life preserved he breathed a prayer 
For help that came mid dark despair. 

He'd been in ports of far Japan, 
Of China and of India's strand ; 
'Mid Orient climes and yellow seas, 
'Mid ardent suns and balmy breeze; 
'Mid gorgeous splendors, heathen fanes. 
Where cruel lust most cruel reigns; 
Where all is fair in land and clime 
But man becursed with everv crime ; 



ir,.; KDKS DELL. OR 

And trodden neath Aml)ition"s s])f)rt, 
Crushed down by priest and Juggernaut. 
At Superstition's base command. 
Bound mind and soul, bound foot and hand. 



Had crcxssed the surge of waters where 

Cape Horn roars from lier storm)- lair 

And lifts her j)yramid of rock 

To breast two ocean's solid shock. 

To part their surging tides in twain, 

And crowned witii storms not breast in vain, 

Hilt stand the monarch of the main — 

A granite wall that God did grow. 

Saying " Thus far — no farther shalt thou go, 

Hut here this granite pile shall stand 

To part the waves on either hand, 

A tower of adamantine worth, 

H)iiilt on the soliil ribs of earth.'" 

We'd seen the thi( k Hra/ilian wood 
Where roils tin- Amazonian flood — 
This inland sea. this mammoth strand 
()f()(ean (lowini^ through the land, 
ihe mother of a thousand streams, 
I'he sire of almighty rivers ; 
Wliere hastening seas of waters gleam. 
And daiH ing wave in sunlight tjuivers. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. W, 

Whose Sylvas grandly tall and green, 

Of every gorgeous shade and sheen. 

With birds of rarest plume between, 

Crown her the forest's empress queen. 

This garner of the streams that run, 

This ocean in a continent, 

This changing mirror of the sun, 

Where crescent moons smile sweet content. 

Where forest kingdoms richly loom 
Entwined with vines of brilliant bloom, 
Where graceful palms enchain the sight, 
And grasses forty feet in height — 
Scenes that no pen hath yet unfurled 
In tints of beauty and of splendor. 
'Tis gorgeous as a rainbow world 
Begirt with hues of rainbow splendor. 

Young Truman gladly pressed again 
The land that he had left with pain. 
And soon from friends he heard and knew 
What he had dreaded, feared was true. 
That Ethel Vane from New York Bay 
Had sailed for Europe on that day, 
And that the one that fixed his view 
Was her fair form and eyes of blue. 
That on the ship that passed him by, 
Had held entranced his anxious eye 

12 



1G8 Kl>i:S DELL. OU 

And caused her then to strive to trace 
Remembrance of liis wistful face. 

Early next morn he took a ship, ^ 

One swiftest on an ocean trip. 

And hoped to reach New Foundhmd strand 

Ere the other ship had left that land. 

If foiled in this, to seek her smile 

And join her tour of British isle. 

His ship plowed swiftly through the main, 

And yet to him it seemed in vain 

Her iron lungs sent forth the steam. 

She seemed a monster in a dream 

That slept amid the water's gleam. 

He wished her speed had wings that Hew 

More fleetly than the winds that blew : 

And skimming fast the briny sea, 

Kept pace with his expectancy. 

'rw(j days — three days, and still she trod 
The ocean like a winged god, 
.\nd oft upon her deck he stood 
.Xnd wistful scanned the rolling flood. 
The next day rose bright, fair and < lear, 
Hut ere the night ^ank dark and drear. 
So that he sought his room for cheer. 

i'here < ast him down upon his bet! 

To rest his thoughtful, throbbing head, 



LOVE'S WA^WERINGS. 169 

And Morpheus' arms did gently creej) 
Around him, till, in slumbers deep. 
Sleep threw the mantle of its charm 
O'er love's unrest and fear's alarm. 

How long, he knew not, ere the day- 
He felt the shock, the ship did sway 
And tremble. Then, as if to gain 
Her feet, she plunged amid the main. 
And now they look o'er ocean drear, 
And every face is pale with fear ; 
And women shriek — but most are still 
Like bosoms stunned too deep to thrill ; 
And strong men shake with pale affright — 
Some call on God, some moan with might. 
While others neither fear nor feel. 
But seem transformed to pulseless steel. 
The quaking timbers groan in grief, 
And tremble like a storm-tossed leaf; 
And in her breast of steel and wood, 
She seemed to feel the angry flood 
Tear at her heart — a lunge, a splash — 
Her timbers fall with fearful crash. 

Then Truman Gray, with pallid brow. 
Saw surging waves rush o'er the prow, 
Sweep wildly, madly o'er the deck 
And toss and whelm a sinking wreck, 



170 EDEN DELL, OR 

Then seized a broken hatchway dour 
And as the angry sea rushed o'er, 
He launched it on a stormy wave, 
The only hope his life to save. 

And "mid the roaring rushing sea 
And 'mid wild shrieks of agony. 
Of hopeless prayer and heljiless moan, 
Of struggling death, and gurgling groan. 
That stately ship once strong and brave 
Sank 'neath the stormy whelming wave. 
The port she sought she ne'er did gain — 
She rides no more the stormy main. 

She l)ra\ed its storms for many a day, 
.\nd came and went from bay to bay ; 
She caught the winds that freely roam, 
She made the blue waves dance with foam 
As white as snow (lakes in the air, 
And carried old and young and Hiir, 
And many a hope and earnest i)rayer ; 
When Oh, alas! One tempest night 
When all was dark to earthly sight. 
While steering on her jtalhless way, 
She strui k wliere foaming breakers lay. 
Twas night — she never saw the day. 
And ne'er again trod ocean's way. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 



171 



The wild waves shrieked above her grave 
And many were the fair, the brave, 
That from her Hving breast she gave. 
Some. rose from pleasant dreams to sip 
Unwelcome waters at their lip, 
Some, scarcely rousing from their berth. 
Thought nightmare held them to the earth. 
While waters cold as winter's storm 
Rolled darkly o'er their breathless form. 
And wondered fancy thus could seem, 
And dying thought it all a dream. 



Far out upon old ocean's flood, 
In hopeless, sad despairing mood, 
With parched lip, and shivering form, 
Truman still hoped through wave and storm- 
Hoped that these dangers he might brave 
And heaven would rescue and would save ; 
And thus he said : " Two days have fled 
Since I have tasted drink or bread, 
I'm almost famished ; and since night 
No passing ship has blessed my sight. 



" O, God! my refuge and my rock, 
'Mid storms that beat, and waves that shock, 
Save, save me from these depths profound 
Where I am sinking down, down, down ; 



172 7:a>»/':a' dell, or 

Unmeasured depths beneath me yawn, 

Infinite heights above me fawn 

As if to mock my hopeles fate, 

And i)last, a speck from time and date." 

"Borne l)y the current and the breeze 
He fioated toward the northern seas; 
'I'wo stormy nights, three stormy days, 
Was tossed upon dark watery ways. 
Weary, dousing, and in distress, 
Nor food to cheer, nor hope to bless, 
The third day's light did slowly fade, 
The third night lower its dismal shade, 
And as it setUed o'er the deep, 
He fell in an exhausted sleep. 
The waves then (luieted. and now 
The stars looked down from heaven's brow. 
And saw him rocked upon the deep. 
Cheerless and cold in feverish sleep ; 
Clutching wildly his frail sea baripie— 
A waif that tloated amid the dark. 

And thus he tloated on and on, 
'Till the gray light showed the rising dawn, 
Then, (piick aroused by sudden shock 
That made his frail boat (piake and rock- 
He wf)ke. The stars of silver hue 
Shown m the ^ky and waves of blue; 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 173 



The surf lay in their beds asleep, 
And silence brooded o'er the deep ; 
He looked, and saw a crystal isle 
Rise just before with cheerless smile; 
Like mount of glass with sloping side 
That sailed amid the drowsy tide. 

It was an iceberg island grand, 
That floated from some northern strand- 
Now 'neath the gleaming stars alone, 
A sea becrowned with jeweled throne. 
He was beside it so he 'rose 
In deep despair from sad repose. 
And, clambering up its rugged side, 
Viewed sky and ocean far and wide— 
A king upon a crystal throne, 
A monarch of dread wastes unknown. 

And still he gazed and still rode on 
Amid the gay and purple dawn. 
There slaked his thirst with calm delight 
From snows upon that crystal height- 
Snows soft and pure as childhood's kiss, 
And fair as maiden's smile of bliss— 
The crystal snow with peerless glow 
That fell from heaven to plains below, 
Unknowing if 'twould turn to mire. 
Or cool the lips else would expire. 



174 KDEX DELL. OR 

And now he saw the clouds unfold 
And dress in i)uri)le, red and gold 
To meet tlieir ardent lovers gaze — 
The morning sun, with genial blaze; 
Whose coming made the waters smile, 
As rosy as a playful child, 
And sjKirkle in their depths of blue 
With braided tints of rainbow hue ; 
And glitter like a thousand stars 
Were woven with its rainbow bars. 
And yet, coquettish as a maid. 
Would blush in gold of every shade 
And smile in every rose's hue 
That God hath kissed with sun and dew 

And there upon that crystal height, 
He viewed the liquid circle bright 
And wondrous, fairy, crystal isle. 
Where peaks rose in fantastic style 
And vales and (lifts in grandeur stand. 
As ne'er was seen on isle of land. 

'j'hree milc> in length, il c ainil\ lay 
And tloaled on its walcr\ way, 
A mile in widlh the ^igiu did greet, 
lall (lifts that ro^e a hundred feel. 
And slow the isle did melt away. 
Meandering soutii fmm day to day. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 175 

And Truman felt strong hunger's pain 
While wandering o'er this icy plain, 
And, as he passed a rugged knoll, 
Above his head he heard a growl, 
He turned, and saw a polar bear 
Spring at him from his icy lair. 

He drew his jack-knife, stepped aside, 

And as it lit he probed its side 

And planted oft the steel again, 

Till warm blood bathed the icy plain. 

They struggling, fell — 'twas hard to tell 

Whose bones would strew the icy dell. 

The bear seemed clumsy, and his weight 

To doom him to the darker fate. 

At length the steel was plunged so stout 

It reached his heart and the blood flowed out. 

And the dead bear lay neath the golden day. 
And Truman knelt as one to pray, 
But hunger's strong, and starving pain — 
He, kneeling, drank the blood of the slain 
And felt its warm life thrill each vein, 
Starving he ate, nor thought it wrong, 
On food, as prayer, the soul grows strong. 
He ate its flesh and took its hide. 
And round his outer garments tied, 
A mantle warm, the fur inside, 



176 KDKX DHLL. OR 

Partook his breakfast — juicy, rare, 

(Jf li(|uid red and soft, warm hear, 

Which much improved his strength and mood, 

And seemed, to him, deHcious food. 

Oh ! ye who taste the dainty wine 1 
And on rich viands feast and dine ; 
Ve scarce can know what nature craves 
When j)alates yearn and hunger raves ! 
\'e know m){ what will bless and cheer 
The hungry when no better's near, 
And dainty sons of wealth and ease, 
Like him would hunger thus appease. 

And there three days he lived and sailed, 
And oft his dreary fiite bewailed — 
Lived on the bear that he had slain 
And melted snow from icy |)lain. 
The fourth day now began to smile 
Above this glittering, icy isle. 
As he strode up its slip|)ery bight 

To see if any sail in sight. 

And there, his sad soul to beguile, 

Ik- mused on tlcMiny awhile. 

There, seated on his icy throne. 

And viewing that dread waste, antl lone, 

lb- said : "The hopes on whi( ii we stand 

.\rr like i( c shijts and roj»es of sand — 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. l?*; 

The sun will shine, the winds will blow, 
And then they vanish like the snow. 

'' And life is like that Person who 
Our Saviour to the mountain drew% 
And promised all the world so fair 
If He would bow and worship there. 
We bow and worship. Then we view 
Our rich possessions. But mildew 
Is on their fairness, at their core 
The blighting worm, the cancer sore. 

Each pleasure has its sting of pain. 
Each joy we garner seems in vain. 
The cypress with the laurel wave, 
And death's the glory of the brave. 
Joy, fame, and wealth soon pass away, 
Those meteors of a stormy day, 
Those idols of a longing heart 
We dream are balm to ease its smart." 

"Fate's iron hand seems on our life 
And we are pigmies in the strife ; 
Our hearts are torn and taught to feel 
They should be stone incased in steel; 
That we should check life's ardent glow, 
Throttle ambition, pride, and show, 
Eject love's cancer from the breast. 
With its dark brood of doubt, unrest 



178 EDKX DELL, OR 

And worn with grief, our brows l)cn(l low 
Down to the dust, till thence we go/' 

But hark : He hears a grating crash, 
A lunge a tremor and a splash. 
The icy hills are torn and hurled 
As if an earthquake rent his world, 
And that fair isle that lately smiled 
Is made a jjlunging monster wild, 
And rent into an hundred isles 
Of icy heajrs and glittering i)iles. 

The peak on which he stood before 

Shook to its base and turned half o'er, 

And cast him on an icy heap, 

That surged like billows of the deej). 

The cold waves and the ice did chill 

His body with a sudden thrill, 

And 'mid the heaving fragments tossed 

He deemed all hoi)e was lost, was lost. 

Now struggling from that seething pile. 
He gained a small and rugged isle. 
And clambering u\) its slipi)ery side 
He deemed this his last earthly ride; 
I lis bruis'd limbs were loo cold to smart, 
.\nd a dark (hill ( rept near his heart. 
He thought ".Soon, dreary and alone, 
A corp.se shall lloal this waste unknown. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 179 

And I shall solve this problem deep 
If spirits rest, if souls can sleep ; 
That problem that hath puzzled man 
Since time was young, since earth began ; 
O'er which the wise and brave hang fears 
And earth hath wept a sea of tears. 

"Soon I'll unlock 'mid these dread seas 

The mystery of mysteries, 

And drop down that abyss of gloom, 

That's dreadful in its voiceless doom. 

Step forth into a void unknown, 

Sail o'er a dark sea, silent, lone, 

And when gone hence, return no more, 

Breathe not earth's air, cull not its lore ; 

And in all ages yet before 

Tread not again time's sunlit shore. 

"This mystery I must shortly try. 
The sting of death is mystery — 
A darkness spreading o'er the brain, 
A dullness where there once was pains, 
A stillness in the throbbing breast, 
A beamless eye, a heart at rest, 
A light gone hence — forever gone, 
A night where reigned a cheering sun, 
A spirit fled ; where ? We know not — 
A gasp of breath and earths forgot. 



180 EDKX DKTJ., OR 

What next? Who knows? IV'rhai)s a dream, 

A Hghtning flash, a silver gleam ; 

A sunshine far beyond th^ night, 

A spirit treading worlds of light ; 

A silence broken 'mong the stars, 

The universe in si)angled bars 

Of rainbo^v beauty, and bright hues, 

With music droi)i)ing like the dews ; 

An anthem through the joyous years 

Saying ' Here's the end of death and tears. 

And here's where joy and hoi)e unfurls 

As dreamt bv souls in other worlds.' 



oom 



"Or woeful fate, from death's dark d 
Sink down to depths of endless gloom. 
And deeper night, where wild despair 
Can breath no words (jf hope or prayer ; 
And where the (^od of (iods unknown, 
Kxcei)t to curse his spotless throne ; 
Where comes no ray of hojjc or Hght, 
Hut one eternal starless night, 
(iod save a soul from such a Hue 
Nor let repentance come too late.'' 

Bui heavens: His stiffened limbs and M)rc 
Can hold his freezing weight no more. 
While slipping slow above the sea. 
He hangs in hoi)elcss misery. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 181 

Breathes his last prayer and Hfts his eye 
To look his last on earth and sky ; 
Then sees a ship slow sailing by. 
" Help ! mercy ! " was his feeble cry 
And then he fell. A hungry wave 
Received him to its liquid grave ; 
And kissed him with its lips of foam 
As greets a wife her husband home. 




182 KDES DELL, OR 



CANTO FOURTEENTH. 

A RP:TURN A FARKWELL. 

On a bright, rusy evening in June, 
A songster was warbling a tune, 
In the evergreen branches above, 
A troubadour's song to his love ; 
While the fountains leaping with spray. 
And the flowers that smiled to the day, 
Seerned to tiptoe to catch but a note 
That fell from the sweet warbler's throat. 

'Twas where one would linger, to tell 
Of the beauties of fiiir Eden 1 )ell 
Whose mansion in loveliness rose, 
And basked in the sunlight's repose. 
In its parlor all costly and fine, 
With windows ri( h trcUised with vine. 
Where roses and lilacs in bloom 
Wafted into it sweetest jjcrfume ; 
Beaumont bowed him low to his love 
And ga/cd in her fair fa( e above. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 18a 

His form it was manly and tall, 
But his eye seemed to lure, then appall, 
And lack that sweet frankness and grace 
That shines from the soul through the face. 

''O bid my sorrows all depart, 

Grant me," he said " but half thy heart, 

A gem that's worth this earthly ball, 

How could I hope to win it all. 

O ! smile on me with generous grace. 

Thy image I can ne'er efface, 

'Tis written on my inmost heart. 

Have mercy, do not bid me part. 

Pity the heart that's sad distressed. 

Pity the soul in its dark unrest, 

Pity the sore and wounded breast 

Smote by the dart thy hand hath pressed. 

" O ! bless the soul where thy image bright 

Hath rose like the sun o'er its world of night. 

My love hath shrined thy image fair, 

Its hope its heaver;^ and its prayer. 

Wilt thou accept its ])roffered aid, 

No consecrated fane or shade 

E'er held an idol such as thee, 

Or such a worshipper as me. 

My heart's a gorgeous waiting fane 

And thou its idol, O, remain ! 



EDEN DKLL. OR 

My soul like ancient earth's in night 

(), speak its chaos into light." 

He paused. She reached her hand, a tear 

Shone in her soft eye bright and clear, 

Her breast shook with a trembling sigh 

( )f tenderness and sympathy. 

She raised him to a seat the while 

And smiled through tears to see him smile. 

*' The tlag is lowered, the battle done. 
What love hath won is nobly won.'' 
And then the tear that would not stay 
Was gently, sweetly kissed away ; 
And yet that ( heek still felt the slain 
Was something sadder than a pain. 
Because it had been pressed before 
By him. alas I who came no more. 

(), gentle heart of woman true 

That drojjs in mercy like the dew. 

That falls in blessings like the rain. 

To cheer and soothe another's i)ain. 

Who c\er sought from womankind 

Some love (^r symixuhy refmed — 

Sought once, twice, thri( e, but whai she rose 

To lift to gladness and rejiose. 

Though some have scorned a setond i)lea 
.Antl in their wrath would turn and lice. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 185 

And call her fickle, heartless, proud. 
And mouth her defects far and loud. 
No ear more ope to mercy's cry, 
No breast so touched by sorrow's sigh. 
No softer hand, more melting eye 
Than woman's, true and tenderly. 

Within the tree top sings the bird, 
Beside the gate a step is heard, 

And Truman brushed the lilac bloom 

« 

And snuffed with joy the glad perfume. 

He thought of parting by that gate, 

Nor doubted time, nor questioned fate. 

His step was quick, his soul was proud. 

His glance fell on a fleecy cloud. 

He said : " 'Tis Hke the cloud that passed 

Before the moon when we met last. 

I thought it was an angel fair, 

One soared above, one stood just there ; 

I know an angel dwelleth here, 

I know this is an angel's sphere ; 

Within this cultured Eden fair 

I feel her breath upon the air." 

He paused by window wreathed with vine. 
He saw another's arm entwine 
Round plighted idol of his heart ; 
His soul leaped up with sudden start. 



18G KDKy DKLL. OH 

And then he hears with dce])cr grief 

These fearful words so plain and brief: 

" My plighted one, I view with jtride 

The day thoiirt be my loving bride. 

How soon the day when we shall wed ? 

A month— a week?" "Ah: more,"' she said, 

"Two weeks to-day, my love, we'll wed." 

"Two weeks?" said she, "but then 'tis fit 

That I learn early to submit." 

" O, deathless love, and hojje of years," 

Young Truman said, "farewell with tears. 

To enter there would be unkind, 

To longer stay would make me blind. 

Who could endure what e'er betide 

To see another claim his bride — 

To see another's arm entwine 

Her waist, like tendrils 'round a vine. 

I came to seek love's soothing rest, 

To fold a loved one to my breast. 

" Like dove that wandering, turns loo late 
To seek an absent cherished mate. 
And finds a ( ruel hawk's been there 
His mate to cai)ture and ensnare : 
So fate has chased me o'er the earth 
Nor left me mate or rheerful liearth. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 187 

Oh, that my life by sailors brave, 

Had ne'er been snatched from ocean's wave." 

He turned, it was no Eden now 

For care was written on, his brow. 

He turned more cursed as unbeloved 

Than Adam when with one beloved 

He turned from Eden. Such is love. 

With heart benumbed and foot-steps fast, 

He down the rosy twilight passed. 

His mind was feverish with unrest, 

Oft to his brow his hand he pressed ; 

Old scenes familiar to his eye 

Seemed as in dream to pass him by. 

And through old streets, and haunts well known 

He passed, and thought them strangely grown. 

But useful pride brought some relief 

To chill his .love and soothe his grief; 

And ere he ceased to walk about, 

He deemed his love was quite crushed out. 

Alas I love is a mightier power 

Than can be crushed within one hour. 

Or in a life of years ; for oft 

This gentle passion true and soft 

Glides through the years three score and ten, 

And warms the breast of hardest men. 

When Truman turned his room to share, 

He met his friend, proud Maud St. Clare. 



188 KhEX DELL, Oil 

" All, Truman glad to see you l)a( k, 
And trust your welcome naught will lack. 
In your far travels westward, say 
Have you e'er met young Hugh McX'eigh,'* 
She blushed. "You've seen him then — 'tis years 
Sin( e I had heard : I had my fears 
That he was dead. He was a friend 
I meant not to displease — offend, 
And yet he left in angry pride.'' 
Then Truman pausing, thus replied : 
" Far out \\\)0\\ the jjlains one day 
While shielded from the sun's bright ray 
Beneath a tent, he did unfold 
The secret of a love untold. 
You were the ol)je(t. To his mind 
\'ou were too haughty and unkind. 
Rej>ulsed his love, nor bid him think 
That to your image he could link 
One tender thought of hojje or love. 
This brought despair, and made him rove." 

" ()! he was wrong, what him dcs))air? 
No man was blessed with love more rare. 
I did repulse*, but 'twas to see 
.And test his love and constancy." 
'' 'Twas sad, 'twas very sad to see 
riu- bitterness and agony 
.\s he and i'.arl Darring, side by side. 
Told of their love and sullen pride. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 189 

Earl Darring when a fair haired youth, 
With eyes of blue and heart of truth 
Returned from college, but to find 
His pHghted one had been unkind, 
To see her to another wed ; 
From haunting memories then he fled. '' 

" Ah ! Pauline Golden,' she replied, 
" A year ago her husband died. 
She loved Earl Darring, yet was taught 
To mind her parents, and she thought, 
That she must marry whom they said 
Regardless how her bosom bled ; 
And then she heard with jealous ear. 
That he another held more dear. 
But 'twas untrue, for oft it's so. 
That rumor's false as fiends below. 

" Deception is a blighting curse. 
Detraction is a curse that's worse, 
Of all the curse on human kind 
A slandering tongue's the worst we find. 
Deception was my fault of old— 
When most I loved my look was cold. 
For fear my thoughts would speak aloud, 
My mien was haughty, cold and proud. 
'Tis writ in Truth sent from above : 
'Without dissimulation, love.' 



190 EDEN DELL, OR 

Had I hut lieedcd, many a pain 
Had {)assed to ne'er return again/' 

Then Truman and fair Maud depart, 
Each musing with a saddened heart. 
He to his chamber cjuickly went, 
There, by his window seated, leant 
His chin upon his hands, to gaze 
Upon the sunset's liery bhi/e. 

And musing sadly, thus he said. 
With bitter heart and bended head: 
" I love to think how very sweet 
It is to feel the warm heart beat. 
To feel the red lip jjressed to lijj, 
And like the bee the honey sij). 
To feel two hearts together beat, 
As one times music with the feet. 
To taste the cup more rich than wine 
I'rom jui<y (lusters of the vine. 

'" And yet 1 sa\ , and ( ount the cost. 
'Twere better to have loved and lost. 
'I'han. like the beast that treads the sial 
To ne\ rr Ion e or sigh at all. 
'Twere better to have seen the sun. 
And felt new life and joy begun 
Though blinded by its daz/ling light. 
Than ahvavs to ha\e dwell in nii;hl. 



LOVE'S WANDERING, 191 

" Twere better to have lived, though strife 
May mar the hasting hours of life — 
To feel the warm and breathing soul, 
Though sorrow bid its tears to roll. 
Than dormant in the womb of night 
A nothing known to life or light 
That God hath spoken unto birth, 
To view the sun or tread the earth. 

" For on creation's ample breast 
There is a spot where souls shall rest, 
Far, far beyond the strife of time 
A heaven eternal and sublime. 
'I've wandered like a waif astray 
And suffered, useless, day by day, 
And Hke that ' much-enduring man, ' 
I've been storm-tossed by sea and land, 
But when returned, 'tis not for me 
To find a fair Penelope." 

Then, as the blood-red sun went down. 
With aching heart he sat him down, 
And, on the bitter moment's spur. 
He wrote and sent these words to her : 



192 KhKS DKLL, OR 

J ARKW KlI.. 

We parted forever. No farewells were spoken — 

I breathed not a sigh and I gave not a token 

That the heart thou hadst wounded, the hopes thou didst sever 

Had bid thee farewell through time and forever. 

Though it shrouded my heart in darkness and gloom, 
As I folded my love as one laid in the tomb: 
I felt that no anguish, no sorrow or pain, 
Could make it return to its idol again. 

1 have buried it deep, where the willows ne'er weep, 
No shaft marks the tomb where its ashes doth sleep, 
And Memory herself shall forget the dark spot 
Where I laid my first love to be sj)urned and forgot. 

For I seek that rich jewel, a heart that's above 
The worshi]) of Mammon, and knows how to love. 
But thou never could'st |)ri/e such a jewel of worth 
As the hearts true affection — rarest gem of the earth. 

When I came in j)roud joy with lo\e's ardent haste. 
Another's fond arm twined around thy fair waist. 
I'rom her strong-plighted faith he hail won my f:iir bride 
And they (ocjed like the doves as they sat side by side. 

As 1 turned in my sorrow, with (are on m\ brow — 
1 neer had < ursed woman, and will not < ur>e now — 
liut I felt that the Kden, from man taken away. 
Was snatt bed from m\- grasj) by a woman that dav. 



LOVE'S WAyDERINGS. 193 

May oblivion's dark waters wash out every spot 
Where thy image was known — even thy name be forgot. 
May thy lover be cold as dark shades that entice, 
Or the iceberg that dwells in thy bosom of ice. 

In thy future of life, when thou hopest to be blest, 
And thy heart turns to love, as a dove to her nest, 
Mayest thou feel the keen pang of a heart that is spurned. 
Or a 1-ove that is fickle and coldly returned. 

Hath wealth wooed thee to win thee with glitter of gold. 
For they say that heart treasures are bought and are sold, 
Accept such a proffer, no envy is mine 
For a heart that sells love or bows at wealth's shrine. 

We have met — I have loved — We have parted forever. 
I've suffered — I'm strong, and glad now to sever. 
I seek not thy love, and will not — no, never. 
We've parted in time — we've parted forever. 



n .> g i»4C-..-^ 



194 EDKS DELL, OR 



CANTO FIFTEENTH. 

M ISF( )RTUN KS A I) K . R KSS I ON . 

As day declined and shadows fell 

O'er embowered Eden, in Eden Dell, 

A lover passed to the mansion gate ; 

''Twas Beaumont Jerome now blessed by fate 

His look was pleased, his eye was bright, 

He smiled there in the soft twilight ; 

His lip still felt the parting kiss. 

And in his s(jul there dwck the bliss 

Of love recjuited. Such is love. 

'Tis sunlight from the heavens above. 

There is no sweeter joy or bliss, 

'There is no brighter heaven than this, 

Amid this worhl of grief and i)ain 

'Than to love, and be beloved again. 

Tie fek it though his sordid soul 

No higher measure knew than gold. 

He deemed the day's work n()l)ly done 

.\iul NJew'il the matt h a golden one. 

He scarce beyond the gale liad passed 
When on a vouth his eve he cast, 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 195 

Who passing said, " Doth here dwell 

Fair Ethel Vane of Eden Dell ? " 

" Yes, and the note hand thou to me." 

" I will not, what is that to thee?" 

He snatched the note from out his hand 

And sent him off with stern command. 

" I will deliver this " he said, 

Then turning opened it and read. 

The boy walked off with sullen look 

While youthful wrath his bosom shook. 

Beaumont Jerome, ah ! well you passed 

And plucked the note from out his grasp, 

If handed to the one he loved, 

'Twould Truman's long thought death disproved. 

Then as the light of evening fades, 

He passed adown the evening shades. 

Upon the morrow came a friend 

To borrow news or gladly lend, 

As women sometimes love to do 

If rumor tell her story true ; 

And to fair Ethel said, " Your friend 

Soon brought his visit to an end." 

" What friend ? Young Truman Gray? Ah, me ! 

I thought him dead. It cannot be 

That he has lived and ne'er sought me." 

So when- her friend had gone away, 
She sought her room and wept that day. 



196 KDKX DELL. OR 

And said, "In otlicr days he trod 

'Mid \erdant bowers o'er emerald sod. 

And fed on nectar like a god. 

And must I doubt ? He said he'd ro\ e 

To show and test his changeless love ; 

He'd love me — love me well and long 

With loNc eternal as the song 

Of shimmering stars, or blazing sun 

Whose smile of love is never done. 

Ah me! Such is the lover's part; 

The tongue sjjcaks stronger than the heart. 

And false vows have no bitter sting ; 

Lij)-service is an easy thing." 

To-morrow came, its new-born light 
Spreading above the shades of night, 
Lit Ethel's room with kindly cheer, 
And kissed the darkness from that sj)here. 
She rose, with weary heart ojtjjressed. 
For feverish dreams disturbed her rest, 
'Vo find in horror and ama/.e. 
Her beauteous Kden home abla/.e. 
'I'o see the burning < inders t1y ; 
To see a red glare belt the sky ; 
To see the fire-fiend lap his tongue, 
Leap out and rave, and hungry run 
Along the house and to her room, 
.\nd jtulT his smoke and toss hi> gloom. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 19" 

Ha ! how he laughs and waves his brand 
With red perdition in his hand. 
Ah I now he grasps the roof on high, 
And now the cinders whirl and fly ; 
He breaks the roof in, now, oh, fly : 
There is no time to think or sigh. 

Then, from the blazing building red. 
For life she quickly turned and fled. 
Then standing, saw in sad afright, 
Her home consumed to ashes white ; 
Naught saved from fire's consuming waste, 
But some apparel snatched in haste. 

But such is fire ; when on the hearth 
It glows and smiles in childish mirth ; 
'Tis like a friend that's good and mild ; 
But let it madden and grow wild, 
But let a spark the chimney throw 
Upon the roof, where breezes blow, 
'Twill seize a house and crush it in 
And frolic like the god of sin ; 
Nor will it aught of value prize, 
There's nothing sacred in its eyes. 

A few days after this sad fate. 
As at a neighbor's she did wait. 
This direful news came. Her estate 
Was bankrupt, and her guardian late 



198 KDES DKLL. nR 

After bad management and waste 
Had took her all and (led in haste. 

An orphan — both iier parents dead, 
A child to ease and fortune bred, 
Her beauteous, fragile mother died 
P>e she had been three years a bride. 
Her father was a man of wealth, 
A merchant, who, for ease and health, 
Improved his home so rare and well. 
He named and called it Eden Dell. 

■ Twas in a city's suburbs, where. 

Crowning a vale of beauty rare, 

It stood upon a central knoll 

That sloped to where bright streamlets roll, 

There, in its noble grandeur, st(jod 

The stately mansion fair and good. 

And porticoes, enwreathed with vine, 

Did (luster round the mansion fme, 

And emerald meads on every hand 

Stretched to where groves of beauty stand 

Hollies, magnolias, forest trees, 

Waved here their l)^anche^ to the bree/e ; 

.And shrub, and rose, and lilac bloom 

Hreathed forth a rich and sweet jierfume, 

.\nd honeysuckle arbors blend 

With bowers that cooling fragrance lend. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 1«9 

While oft above a pebbly pool 
Hung graceful willows bending cool ; 
And fountains shoot their silver spray, 
And shower their gems through all the day. 

Ethel, an only child, and so 

When he had died, two years before, 

Inherited his large estate. 

And, young and fair, seemed blessed by fate. 

And Truman was the lover true 

She favored, and her father too. 

Their fathers had together roved 

In youth, and the same woman loved. 

But she denied his father then — 

She could not marry both the men. 

An angry quarrel then ensued 

Which doubtful friends urged and renewed. 

Until their heated blood ran high. 

For honor's wounds some one must die — 

For but a word, an angry breath. 

They each must face a willing death. 

A challenge sent — an answer came : 
Pistols — ten paces — seconds' name ; 
Place — the church-yard on the hill. 
Six loads — and shoot until we kill ; 
The time — -sunrise to-morrow morn ; 
I face the sun and you the church forlorn. 

14 



200 EDKX DULL, OR 

The morrow's sun rose fair and grand — 

Ten paces offthey take their stand; 

Two pistols in the sullen grasp 

Of hands oft pressed in friendship's clasp. 

The second speaks : '* One — two — three — fire' 

But hark: A voice rings clear and higher: 

''Stop! God forbid," and rushed between. 

They turned, with (^uick and startled mein, 
And saw their loved one standing there 
With tearful eyes and (lowing hair, 
Between them, so that neither can 
Shoot at or hit his shielded man. 
She wildly urged, she shamed she jjlead : 
" When you look on the other, dead — 
Slain by your hand — how could you dare 
To look on me or the sun uj) there? 
'Tis barbarous —sinful. Sto|)! Beware!" 

They feel her words, they each relent, 

Before her pleading beauty bent 

'i'iieir stern hearts and their stui)born will. 

Til! kinder thoughts their bosoms fill. 

They drop their pistols, drooj) the head. 

Till kindly she together led 

The life-long friends. .\n hour before 

IvK h was to each a mortal foe. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 201 

But now she gently lays one's hand 
Within the other's, and they stand 
Two friends, led by an angel hand 
From wilfull murder, human gore, 
To friendship more faithful than of yore. 

A friend had told her of the plot, 
When, in wild haste, she sought the spot 
And by her valiant deed did wed 
Two noble hearts that else had bled. 
And coming years taught each to see 
Her life was love, peace, purity. 

Now, when a dreary week had flown 
O'er Ethel Vane, so sad and lone ; 
And sordid Beaumont, having found 
Her fortune gone, with grief profound. 
Sent her this cold and cheerless note. 
Which seemed in hottest haste he wrote : 

' ' Pardon my long delay to call 
And that no word Fve sent at all. 
By sudden business called away, 
I have been absent till to-day. 
Enclosed find letter that was found, 
I hasten now to send it 'round. 
I learn your lover is not dead 
And now, of course, we cannot wed." 



202 KI>K\ nilLL, <Ul 

*' How mean and < riiel,"' then she said 

And ope'd young Trinnan's note and read ; 

And then she wept ; for more than all 

This wraj)t her heart in darkest pall. 

Like Man of I'z. in limes unknown, 

Misfortunes did not come alone; 

And when her heart was most bowed down, 

Faith viewed afar a starry crown. 

And, by religion's golden ra\ 

She gazed on realms (;f f^ideless day. 

Religion, pilot of the soul 
To heaven's fair fields, where bright unfold 
The Jasper sea, and streets of gold, 
The tree of life, and streams of joy 
That death and pain (an ne'er alloy ; 
Communion with the sjjirit's sire, 
A coal from out the altar's fire ; 
A gem from off the tallest sj)ire 
Of God's all wise, eternal lo\c 
Thai lifts the soul to His above. 
Consumes the dross, rctines ihe <lay, 
■'rill winged witii bliss 'twould soar away. 

She felt religion's soothing toiu h, 

'I'hough much she suffered, it soothed mu( h 

Its deep and ri( h < onsoling ])()wer 

'i'hreu hallow 'round that suffering hour — 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 203 

Threw light above the lowering night 
And fixed a star to guide the sight. 
Through suffering's fire the strickened soul 
Rose up to seek a higher goal, 
And in its seven-fold heat was tried, 
To come out tempered — purified ; 
Then, having put her trust in One 
Who is the soul's bright central sun, 
Sweet peace came down upon her head. 
She rose in tears while thus she said : 

" All joys of earth must pass away. 

All fortunes crumble and decay, 

All hearts must feel some bitter pain, 

All bliss must turn to grief again, 

And very sad indeed to some 

Does love with pensive sorrow come. 

When hearts must still their bursting grief, 

O'er faded joys so bright and brief, 

And those that should sit side by side 

Are wandering far o'er land and tide ; 

When soul from soul, and heart from heart 

Have long been severed — torn apart. 

And life, that should be joy, delight, 

Is turned to darkness and to night. 

" But, such is life, pursued by Fate ; 
Grief comes to all — some soon, some late. 



204 E1>KX DELL, OR 

In voiith, wc step with buoyant air 
And dream all earth is bright and fair — 
The flowers bloom, birds sweetly sing 
And life seems one bright joyous sjjring ; 
P)Ut. when a few bright years have flown 
And we are older, wiser grown, 
The rosy hours of youth, no more 
Come back from o'er time's dusky shore ; 
And then, we see life's barren field 
Can naught but transient joys yield. 
For we are transient i)ilgrinis here, 
Oppressed by doubt and chilled by fear, 
Who cross the hills where flowers grow- 
To rest within the valley low. 

" For h()])cs will fade, and hearts will burn. 
And souls for highest bliss will yearn. 
And love will have its wanderings here ; 
Earth brings us all some bitter tear. 
And they who seek for i)erfe( t bliss 
Must seek another world than this." 



LOVE'S WANDEEINGS. 205 



CANTO SIXTEENTH. 

THREE FRIENDS HAVE MET AGAIN. 

The sun his course had ahnost run, 
And twihght shadows, dark and dun, 
Began to sink o'er prairies wide, 
As sinks the strand 'neath ocean's tide, 
When far from down a mountain road, 
A horseman on his charger rode, 
And urged with roweled heei along. 
His phmging courser, swift and strong. 
His form swayed with a haughty mood, 
His actions showed he was pursued ; 
And yet his fearless mien and eye. 
Belied that he was forced to fly. 

He sat erect, defiant, grand. 

Looked back and shook his clenched hand, 

And sj)eeding fast as winds can blow, 

Still hurled defiance at the foe. 

His steed leaps o'er the rugged earth 

While foam flies from his dripping girth ; 

With hoof of steel and heart of ire. 

Strikes from the rocks their sullen fire. 



206 KlU'iy UKLL, nj: 

And si)urning earth beneath liis feet, 
Skims o'er the mountains swift and fleet. 
And swift, and swifter grew his speed, 
For ne'er had steed more noble need : 
And still with panting nostrils wide, 
Feels rowels plunging in his side. 
While his pursuers, pressing fast. 
Are distanced by each moment i>assed, 
Until they hall with sullen mein, 
And turn unto the mountains green. 

\'oung 'iVuman still his flight pursues, 

Until he in the distance views 

A train encamped ; then, pats with grace 

His charger, as he slac ks his i)a( e. 

At length beside a tented train 

He halts, and drops his coursers rein. 

At once, Iroui out a tent ihat da\, 
Ivirl Darring came, and Hugh McX'eigh. 
And soon beside his steed ihey stand 
And grasj) him with a friendly hand. 
They three, upon the plains before 
Had met. and talked their hislor\ o'er. 

'' How now. old friend, whence comest thou?' 
" 'I'oo tired to tell you all just now, 
lUil m the mountains. o\er there. 
I ihoUL^hl to hunt some deer or bear. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 207 

But, straying from my comrades for, 
I stumbled into Indian war." 
" Come, enter here and sup and rest. 
We still are roving in the West, 
And glad to meet upon the plain 
Our well remembered friend again." 

They enter then within the tent 

And there the night and evening spent, 

There ate their supper, rude and plain, 

With appetite that none can gain 

But those who've breathed inspiring air 

Upon the prairies vast and fair. 

There, 'neath the tent upon the plain, 
Talked o'er the days of yore again. 
They two then unto Truman said: 
"Three swiftly-gliding years have fled 
Since last we met. Thou art not wed? 
Thy lady fair has proved untrue, 
Just as we said, for well we knew. 
So lift the hand unto the sky, 
Swear lifcs a cheat and love' s a lie.'' 

" I will not, though I sought my bride 
And found another by her side. 
But this I learned and tell to you. 
Where one is false there's two that's true. 



208 EDKS DELL, OR 

And you of all men last should he 
To doubt a woman's constancy. 
I found your love — the proud brunette, 
With (jueenly form and eye of jet — 
Pure as the gold thats fresh from mint, 
True as the steel that cuts the flint. 
And this she said — said Maud St. Clare : 
' No man was blessed with love more rare.'" 

"Good heavens I" then Hugh McVeigh rejjlied. 

And shook the tent from side to side. 

" Woe, woe is me for now I see 

That we have suffered needlessly. 

My ardent love made me dispense 

With all I had of c.ommon sense, 

For tis the first thing lovers spare 

And I am no exception rare. 

But with to-morrow's rising sun. 

To her m\- journcy'll be begun.'' 

Then 'IVuman l«> l"'.arl I )arriiig turned 
And said, '* I accidentally learned 
That she for whom thy bosom burned 
In early Nouth. is now unwed 
Hy death. Iler nean-si friend thi> said : 
•.\t parent's stern ( ommantl she wed. 
While Pauline (iolden's bosom bled 
With early love, true lose for you " 
So, f(jr one false there's two that's true. " 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 209 

Earl Darring slowly then replied, 
With sober thought, and gently sighed : 
"Long years have flown since on the day 
I pressed her hand and strode away. 

" Since then the years have brought to me 

The all I love — a memory — 

A phantasy that haunts the brain 

Like gleams of starlight on the main ; 

And there, at recollection's door, 

They enter, sadly bending o"er, 

Like mourners at a tomb, they seem 

To weep above a vanished dream. 

" Methought I saw a heaven afar, 

An Eden with the gate ajar 

Through which I thought to pass, when lo ! 

An angel frowned. Can it be so, 

That angels frown with haughty pride, 

And thus an entrance is denied? 

I trembling turn, for lo I 1 see 

I am. debarred by fates decree. 

" And yet, perchance 1 might have won 
A heaven, had I but ventured on. 
I, turning, thought as I gazed there, 
'Twas beautiful, 'twas strangely fair. 
It came — it went, and memory cast 
Its beauty on the faded past. 



210 K1>K\ DJJLL, OR 

I thought not niemory'd give mc pain 
By turning oft to look again, 
And love would burn in fancy's blaze, 
And gazing, turn again to gaze. 

"Such dreams, alas: they come to all, 
And chase sweet visions we recall. 
Like buttcrtlics through memory's hall. 
And memory's magic touch can bring 
To faded flowers the hues of spring. 
To withered hopes the bloom of youth, 
The charm of beauty and of truth. 
For memory's sweet enchantments rise — 
A rainbow, spanning earth and skies, 
A world of beauty that survives — 
A heaven within our inner li\es. 

" But ah ! if memory's \isions bring 
A dream that hath a waking sting, 
That I'aIcu hath a serjjcnt there 
To tempt to madness or to pra\ er. 
And fruits forbidden ever rise. 
More fair, more charming to the eyes. 
Su( h, such is life, mind will unfurl 
Some s])iril dream from sj)irit world. 
Some image, seeming more than thought, 
Some lightning gleam that fan< y caught, 
Unkowing why, or whenc e it ( amc, 
A dream too wonderous for a name. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 211 

'Tis yearnings of immortal souls 
For higher bliss, and brighter goals, 
For fairer heaven, and sweeter joys 
And peace serene that naught alloys. 

"If I have drempt a dream like this, 
That mocked me with untasted bliss. 
Few knew it, and full thousands more 
Have drempt that very dream before. 
Life yields us little, though we drain 
A brimming cup, 'tis mixed with pain. 
Fate's hand hath stirred its bitter draught, 
Else higher heaven we ne'er had sought. 

"But saddest thing beneath, above, 
Is burial of the heart's first love ; 
To fold it as the silent dead 
Within the shrine where it hath bled — 
Its throne and tomb. Beside it there, 
Grief's monument, and pale despair ; 
Fond memory bending near to brood. 
With drooping wings and tearful mood 
O'er desolation drear and sad. 
O'er hopeless hope so wild and mad ; 
A sigh congealed amid the gloom, 
A cypress drooping o'er a tomb, 
As cheerless as a sphynx's smile 
Forever gazing on the Nile. 



212 EDKX DKLL. OR 

Vet every heart, like every town, 
A graveyard hath — where it lays down 
Its withered hopes and vanished joys. 
Its faded dreams, and follies toys, 
To hide them (nnn the light of day, 
Where they ma\' moulder to decay. 

"So, since the years have brought to me 
A dream of hoi)e, from memory — 
Another's j)alm hath fondly pressed 
The lill) hand 1 ott caressed; 
Another's form hath clasped the breast — 
'Twere heaven had it been mine that i^ressed- 
Another's lips hath drank the wine. 
And left me but the cheerless vine — 
Hath sucked the fruit and left the rinci. 
At feasts, the first's the better wine. 
She was not true as thou hast said 
To love the one, the other wed ; 
What ! worship Satan for love of (iod ? 
Such truth's untruth, thcnigh Jove should nod. 
I'm older now, perhaps more wise. 
No man should sigh deej) |)lethori{ sighs, 
liut ( hampion his heart's enter|>rise 
Like a brave knight — be |)rudent wise. 
How not like slave or devotee 
To senseless gods; but make his plea, 
I'hen stand like isles amid the sea 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 213 

And front the storms. The heroes part 
'Mid shattered wrecks of proudest heart." 

And thus they talked till rosy light 
Grew gray and faded into night, 
While darkness her dun mantle spread, 
Of dusky gloom and shadows wed. 
While sleep her opiate dews distilled 
And every breast with silence filled, 
And love came then with rosy dream 
To kiss the joys that seem, that seem. 



As rose the morning sun next day, 
Far eastward rode young Hugh McVeigh, 
While passed the slowly moving train 
Far westward o'er the level plain. 




214 KDKS DELL, OR 



CANTO sf:venteen. 

I TOPI AN DRKAMS AND LOTUS LEAVES. 

From out the chambers of the morn, 
Aurora, goddess of the dawn, 
With jeweled fingers did arise 
'JV) cHmh the ladder of the skies, 
While, purpling on the orient blue, 
The sable night her form withdrew. 
And opal shadows gaily dance 
.Along the hills as ihev advance, 
Like fairy sprites of light new born 
That weave a chaj^let for the morn. 
Then, glowing on the azure ])lain. 
Like heralds of a monarch's train, 
Upon their steeds of dap])lc gray 
Advance the heralds of the day. 

'Twas when the weeks and montlis had rolled 
Their ( he( kered w heels of gloom and gold. 
That as the sunlight kissed the dawn, 
N'oimg Truman rose and faced the nK)rn. 
.Vnd saw the glowing hues of tlay, 
Spread o'er the prairies far away. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 215 

Like rosy dawn of early love, 
When ciipids 'mid the flowers rove. 

He said, "Last night, in slumbrous dream, 
Soft, loving eyes did lustrous beam 
Into my own. And on my cheek 
I felt warm, joyous tears that speak 
The melting heart ; lips touched to mine 
As soft as rose leaves — bliss divine 1 
Pillowed upon her soft warm breast 
My head 1 gently, sweetly pressed 
And felt the pulse of love beat free 
As yearning wild waves of the sea. 
Heavens ! I was prouder than a king, 
Empires ne'er such raptures brmg. 
Each kiss was worth a thousand pounds, 
Each tear a planet load of crowns. 

"This was my kingdom, ne'er to part. 
For I was lord of the loving heart. 
Was Antony wise? For such bliss 
He gave an empired world like this. 
Had Alexander's hopes thus furled 
He ne'er had wept for other world. 
Had Mary's love a Byron blest, 
His life had been a sea at rest — 
Not casting up foul' earth and mire — 
A ship that sailed a sea of fire, 

15 



^« KUES DELL, OR 

A genius burning with that love 
That makes a vulture or a dove. 

" Fi ! who can not ije rich in dream — 
This mirage of the things that seem, 
Sleep's strange sight-seeing telescope 
Of things we wish and things we hope. 
The untrained soarings of the mind, 
'I'hat still will wander, unconfined, 
And bid the soul still for a time, 
View new creations, scenes and clime. 
And memory's touch and fancy's hand 
Can ])aiiit a world of rainl)Ow land. 

*' In fancy, I have trod the sun. 
And empires, (jueens and battles won. 
And painted heaven so grandly fair, 
It seemed perfection's answered prayer. 
And boundless bli.ss could scarce unfold 
The myriad beauties fancy told. ' 

\'et 'bove them all, in my fond \-outli. 
I prized the loving grace and truth 
Of one |)roud heart. O davs of vouth ! 

" While others thought on fame and wars 
And burned to mix in strife and jars. 
I loved to ' front the solemn stars" 
.\nd. with a (aim and thoughtful brow. 
To measure what life's h()|)es allow. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 217 

And, with my glowing thoughts, to build 
Such temple as the soul might fill. 
And if on earth or heaven above, 
I found that temple built of love. 

" On earth God built two hearts as one — 

Love's temple, smiling to the sun — 

Ordained the family circle ties 

The nation's strength — God's wisdom wise, 

And men of high or humblest part 

May win this kingdom of the heart. 

And there times sweetest pleasures bring, 

And every man may reign — a king ; 

Yet not to wield a tyrants sway. 

But rule by smiles as rules the day. 

"And I have thought — whai man has not ? 
That he was blessed with happiest lot. 
Who, turning from a world of care, 
Found a true home and wife to share 
The comforts that his toil might bring, 
Where joy could smile and love could sing ; 
Where, with sweet, charming grace, a wife 
Might soothe the stormy scenes of life. 
Becalm the brow, like quiet seas 
That hush the billows and the breeze. 
Be love upon his life impearled, 
Be angel of his better world. 



218 EDES DKLL^ OR 

Methought, in dream, that such an one 
Smilefl on nic Hkc the rising sun. 

" For such. Id dare the cruel curse 

Of thirty tyrants, doubly worse 

Than reigned in (ireece. I'd break the front 

Of iron war, and bear the brunt 

Of all earth's Ijattles. I'd burst the bars 

Of prisons, lasting as the star.s 

And built of mountains of blue steel, 

And ribbed with adamant, nor feel 

The weight of all earth's scejjtered jiower 

Though dungeoned in an iron tower. 

" And in her n()l)le ( ause for good, 
1(1 write my name and fame in blood 
Upon earth's iron heart. O'er turn 
Her toj)pling thrones, and proudly earn 
Her worthy ])raise. For love can learn. 
I'd toil up to fame's topmost rounds — 
I'd build a pyramid of (Towns 
And (limb therefrom up to her love 
As to a heaven — nor look above 
I'or higher bliss. I'"or such is lo\e. 

•' I'd rather win her than \(>n star 
rh.ii glitters o'er morn's smiling car. 
With isles and ( oiitinents like this 
i'orever singing in their rounds of bliss; 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 219 

Than diamond mountains rearing higher 
And reaching to earth's central fire - 
Than treasured heaps of miser seas 
And ocean's countless gems— where breeze 
Ne'er stirred a ripple ; where no wave, 
Hath kissed them in their island cave. 

" I'd rather dwell in a lone isle, 
Lit by no sunshine but her smile. 
Kissed by the moaning amorous sea, 
From traffic's world, uncursed and free, 
Wrapt in old ocean's giant arms, 
There feed my soul upon her charms 
Than dwell on thrones and fear alarms. 
I'd feast upon her beauty fair, 
As God's ear on the breath of prayer ; 
I'd drink the starlight of her eye, 
As sun's the haze of summer sky. 

"As lakes kissed by the soft moonlight, 

I'd bathe my soul in sweet delight. 

And earth ne'er drank warm crystal tears, 

As I such bliss through coming years 

And ne'er grow old; but young, like truth, 

I'd taste this fount of fadeless youth. 

I'd woo her as the stars the sky — 

As woos the moon, with loving eye 

The sighing earth ; as spirits free 

Woo worlds of light and destiny. 



220 



ED EX DELL, OR 

'* 1 say it. I affirm it o'er 
Though it he drowned by traffic's roar, 
There is a love unbought, unsold, 
Oft times unuttered and untold. 
That in this world of sordid sense 
Hath not reward, or recompense, 
In all the rcnind of lleeting years; 
(jod's eye, aUjne, may see its tears. 

'* Last eve, I saw a nameless grave 
Upon the trackless plain. It gave 
No sign upon its verdant crest, 
It held within its pulseless breast 
The ashes of immortal fire — 
'Twas silent as the cloud cai)j)ed sj^ire 
Of old Cathedrals. Then me thought : 
All yearning souls shall taste this draught 
Of utter silcn( e — nor their name 
Nor hojK's, nor whisperings of fame. 
Nor record of their life or birth 
Be known on this forgetting earth. 

" And then me wished it was my part 
To slumber in its mouldering heart. 
And feel my pulse as dumb, and still 
.As shadows on the dist.mt hill. 
My throbbing heart, now pulsing brave. 
As (juiet as that U)nely grave. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 221 

That slnmbering in the pale moonUght, 
Peered up into the vault of night. 

' ' Upon a day I scaled the cliffs, 

And on the cheerless snowy drifts 

Lay human bones, all bleaching white ; 

An eagle just had taken flight, 

And screamed above my venturing head 

As if to fright me with the dead. 

" I said, 'more cursed are these white bones 
Than those that sat on marble thrones I 
If human flesh makes eagle mirth, 
Or feast for worms in groveling earth, 
What matter ? If the soul's at rest 
This funeral pyre — this mountain crest 
'Is grand enough to hold my breast 
Until it bleach like driven snows, 
And tombless be its dust repose ; 
An eagle feedmg on its prey ; 
A white speck on a mountain gray — 
A spirit soared far, far away.' 

"For sorrow's winds have blown me through 
As through the night air drops the dew ; 
In the rent fissures of my heart, 
Departed hopes like adders start, 
And cypress and the w illows wave, 
As if that spot contained a grave. 



222 EDEN DELL, OR 

"O, doting heart: I've scarce Ijegun 
This sage soliloquy to the sun. 
Till love is served, in whole or part, 
And fed on by my hungry heart. 
Be cursed I thou spirit from above, 
I vowed to never dream of love. 
For bitter fate has sternly taught 
My heart to curse its baneful draught ; 
This gushing stream of fancied bliss 
Is but the gall of bitterness. 

*'This God-like passion, heaven-born, 
So was Satan. His brow of scorn. 
Drank heaven's ineffiible delight, 
Her beauties blessed his godly sight. 
Vet he was cursed, the king of woes 
He makes perdition where he goes. 

"And so does love though heaven-born 

If scorning, or if turned to scorn. 

If all the sky of ether blue, 

Had subtle |)()ison well mixed through. 

If all ilu- waters of the sea 

Were nitrate silver, mercury, 

it were a scare more baneful fate. 

Than love that's turned to bitter hate. 

" It must be wrong. And I will think 
I'heres sweets still on that tlowerv brink 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. ^^3 

Of doubtful joys. Uncertain bliss 
That borders on a dark abyss. 
I just have learned s/ie is not wed 
But single and her fortune's fled. 
I'll write and tell her of my love, 
That cruel note, and why I rove." 

Then seated on a gentle knoll, 

He did unfold his writing scroll ; 

His noble steed that grazed near by, 

Now left his grazing and drew nigh, 

And on his masters lap did lay 

His head, and with his eyes did say, 

'' This is your desk, now use I pray." 

So on his head of dapple gray 

He laid his scroll, and wrote away. 

His steed and the immortal there, 

Seemed each the other's thoughts to share. 

The steed looked with a sad appeal. 

And seemed to think and seemed to feel. 

Poor beast 1 to die and pass to mould. 

Poor man I the vastness of the soul 

Makes longing hearts ; where sorrows roll. 

One to a deathless future goes, 

And one to endless dust repose. 

One must on ceasless yearnings feed ; 

One on content,— that one the steed. 



224 A7>/;.V DELL, OR 

Animal content, and soul rest 

Men seek ; but few are blest. 

'Tis doubtful if the soul can rest; 

It's wings immortal oft will try, 

To scale the Heavens — 'twas meant to fly. 

'I'he letter finished, he spoke thus, 
*' A lover is a curious cuss 
Of rare extremes. In wisdom's ways 
He seldom stumbles — seldom strays. 
The warm heart makes the heated brain, 
A feverish man is scarcely sane. 
Where is the man so mad as he, 
Who loves a woman fervently ? 

"The sunset streaked with l)eams of light 

Our i)arting hojjes, that dawned as bright. 

And purj>led on the future view 

The dreams of youth that grew and grew, 

And love arose and hues unfurled, 

As fair as ever blessed a world ; 

.^nd gorgeous were the skies of blue. 

That brought a fairy realm to view. 

I^ut winds arose, and ( louds si)rea(l o'er 

And darkness \ ailed a storm\- shore. 

"'I'ossed by the i)ill()ws of the j)asl, 
Mid present trials, h()i)e may last : 



LOVE'S WANDEBINGS. 225 

The weary heart may cease to roam, 
Affection build her gUttering dome 
To shade her joys from heat of noon, 
Protecting flowers that fade too soon. 
And when the joyous day shall end, 
And evening shadows gaily blend, 
It's sunset sink in crimson, gold. 
Where opal-tinted hues unfold. 
Then let me hope for such a noon, 
And night without a waning moon, 
And rosy twilight's peaceful ray, 
May follow such a stormy day." 




226 EDEN DELL, OR 



CANTO KKiHTEKNTH. 

TRIED — PUR in KD. A COI NC IDKNT. 

Mid golden scenes, and rosy hours, 
When hearts sit 'neath refreshing bowers, 
While kindest friends surround us here, 
To soothe, to comfort, and to cheer ; 
And fortune smiles, and hope sings sweet. 
And streams of joy flow at our feet. 
And hands are near 'mid pain or grief, 
'Mid pleasures or 'mid sickness brief 
To smooth our i)ath, to soothe our care, 
And bless with love's attentions rare ; 
'Tis easy to say *' ne'er desi)air. 
Nor hope, nor joys, nor friends bewail. 
And ne'er give up the shij), or fail." 

'Tis easy for the ship to sail 

When seas are smooth, and skies are i)ale, 

Nor let the waves its i)row o'er whelm, 

Well manned, and pilot at the helm ; 

Wlu-n waflcd by the gentle l)ree/e 

( )"er i)ea(:eful waves in (|uiet seas. 

liul, when the stormy billows roll. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 

And arms are helpless to control, 
And nerves are quaking to the soul, 
'Tis harder then, with clenched lip, 
To breast the storm and hold the ship. 

And so, when sorrow's billows flow, 

And fortune frowns, and friends are low. 

And hearts are bowed in bitter grief. 

And out-stretched hands find no relief, 

And desolation's dismal moan 

Wails through the heart, so sad and lone, 

That sits beside Hope's dusky tomb 

And broods as shadows o'er night's gloom 

O ! say if such thy pity share, 

*' Look up, and lift the soul in prayer, 

To weep is Christ-like — not despair." 

And so it seemed to Ethel fair. 

With sad blue eyes, and soft brown hair. 

Bereft of fortune, wealth, and friends. 

Those bubbles of a life that ends. 

Forsook by lovers once so true. 

And summer friends that once she knew. 

O, fortune ! Tyrant of the wheel, 

With heart of flint and hand of steel. 

Who turns and high or humble kneel. 

Who rules the world with stern disdain 

Regardless of man's weal or pain. 



228 EDES DELL, OR 

Who turns her wheel, and jeweled crown 
Bows low and drops its jewels down, 
And scepters fall from nervless hand, 
And peace or war, shines o'er the land. 
And wealth, which brings its brood of care, 
A promised means of pleasure rare, 
A valued good when rightly used — 
A soul destroyer when abused. 
A blessing when the heart's above, 
Low. sordid lust, and glows with love. 
And shows the kind fraternal mcjod 
Whose bliss is found in doing good. 

And many friends in prosperous hours, 

May sit with us 'neath cooling bowers ; 

But when Fate's sun our bowers fade, 

They seek some other cooling shade — 

For gold can make them, as it oft hath made. 

But what is fortune, wealth, or friends. 

To one whose heart, and h()])es and ends 

Are compassed by almighty love. 

That lifts the soul to joys above — 

Where, in the golden city's gate, 

Comes neither fortune, wealth, or fate 

'I'o canker love within the heart, 

Or j)amper joys that soon depart. 

And so fair Kthel felt, the day 

Those transient pleasures tied awa\ . 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 229 

She must the needs of life command, 
By toil of brain, and work of hand ; 
So when a school select and good 
Was offered her, with cheerful mood 
She did accept, and firm resolve 
She would the trying problem solve, 
Whether 'mid toil and earnest strife. 
The strained and feeble threads of life, 
So warped and sore within the breast 
Could e'er be wove again to bless ; 
Or, if that harp of thousand strings 
Could ever feel the hope that sings, 
If once those cords were strained or broke 
That had responded to love's stroke ? 
If they could cause again to roll 
The joyous music of the soul. 

So, oft she trod from day to day, 
With sober feet, the broad highway 
That led to duties well performed ; 
And youthful minds, with lore adorned. 
And they who gazed and passed her by 
Observed a sadness in her eye — 
Saw, resting on their crystal scroll, 
A shadow reaching to the soul, 
From whence, thrown on its azure screen. 
Like haze above a summer scene — 
Its mellow tinge and pensive touch 
Showed she had loved and suffered much. 



230 EDKS DELL. OR 

Those pensive orbs of hea\enly blue, 
Like wells of thought, deep, rich and true, 
Showed in their dei)th of crystal springs. 
The softness such as sorrow brings ; 
And in their sky-blue tides that roll 
The lingering sadness of the soul ; 
While glowed upon her features rare 
A look that was a silent prayer ; 
And nestled on her forehead bright 
A sadness sweeter than delight. 

Thus as she walked, all like a queen, 
Her look was modest, mild her mien ; 
Her form, like Hebe's was moulded fair, 
Her smile was sweetly sad. Her hair. 
Dark brown and soft, it rii)j)led rare, 
Like glossy sunbeams nestled there ; 
And round her presence seemed to be 
An atmosphere of purity. 

One morning, as she trod the way. 

Her lips spoke what her heart would say ; 

'' Last night I ga/ed \\\nm that star, 

.\nd, ere I knew, in slumi)ers far, 

1 dreamt, th.it on an i-land strand 

I was j)ursued by pirate band. 

Coarse, horrid oaths they hurletl at me, 

I feared their ( urse more than tiie sea, 



LOVE'S WANDEFdNGS. 231 

And strained my speed to find a grave 
Beneath the ocean's moaning wave. 
But soon my Hmbs had spent their force, 
While on my neck rough hands, and coarse, 
Were rudely laid, and, on the ground 
1 felt myself forced down — down — down. 

" I struggled in my wild despair, 
And breathed to heaven a hopeless prayer. 
When, lo 1 a knight in bold array. 
On foaming steed, rode to the fray. 
In plated mail, with polished shield — 
A nobler knight ne'er charged a field. 
With lance, undimmed by useless rust, 
He pinned each pirate to the dust. 

" Alighting, me he gently raised 
And with new rapture fondly gazed — 
Smoothed down the ringlets of my hair, 
His visor raised, and nobly fair 
He stood a hero on earth's sod, 
And smiled upon me Hke a god. 

" He pressed my hand until I feel 
His pulse beat through the links of steel. 
He said, ' I've trod the world so wide, 
To find my queen, and promised bride. 
I've earned a kingdom and a crown ; 
I am a prince of high renown. 



282 KDEX DELL, OIL 

And I will joy wiih jji-uudcst mien, 

To see thee crowned, my noble (jueen."' 

•' I knew his face, those features rare 
Were on my heart and in my prayer. 
The scene, the bliss my sjjeech destroy, 
My silent tongue was dumb with joy. 
He ordered then his vassal train, 
They brought a steed with flowing mane, 
'I'hen in his arms with j)ressure sweet 
He placed me in the saddle seat. 

** Then vaulting on his noble steed, 

We passed through woods and flower}- mead 

'Till on the banks of winding stream. 

The castle's towers did grandly gleam 

Majestic in its towering front, 

To brave the storm and battle's brunt — 

The moat, draw-bridge and castle dome. 

Seemed fit for grandest kingly home. 

The draw-bridge crossed, the gale we jKissed, 

When martial music smote the blast. 

And ( larion notes rang ri( h and clear 

Upon the rai)turcd atmos])here." 

**The morrow dawned anil bliss records. 
Cameipieenly ladies and bra\e lords 
in grand attire and noble mien, 
\\\(\ 1 was I rowned the lovely ipieen. 



LOVE'S WAXDERINGS. 283 

And as my king of high renown, 
Placed on my head the jeweled crown. 
And smiling to the assembled peers, 
Said, ' Now's the summit of my years, 
I crown her, 'tis my loving part. 
Queen of my realm and of my heart,' 
When lo ! the crown rolled off like stone 
And shattered on the ivory throne." 

" My heart leaped wild to hear it break, 

And starting from my dreams, I wake, 

To find it all a vanished dream ; 

While shimmering through the amber gleam 

Of watching stars, I view the while 

The islands of the blessed smile. 

Far off beyond the midnight sheen 

Of earthly hopes. Where faith is seen 

Like light house on the shores of time, 

That shines afar o'er worlds sublime ; 

Like star-light o'er a sea of gloom : 

Like sunshine in a darksome tomb. 

And love in sleep is not forgot, 

Such dreams are maiden's common lot. 

" And in my younger, brighter years. 

In day-dreams I have dropped warm tears 

Of love upon a manly face. 

And in a clear blue eye did trace. 



234 EDES DELL. oR 

My image mirrored on the soul ; 

It's (jueen, it's heaven and it's goal. 

'Twas face not like Apollo's wear, 

With cataract of golden hair, 

And maiden's eyes of saintly blue. 

And cheeks as smooth as maiden's too. 

Nor yet Adonis like in mould, 

A polished marble fair but cold. 

Nor coarse as Mars, nor stern as pride, 

Nor Hercules in bruin's hide. 

But jjure of heart, and brave of soul, 

lUiilt on a proud heroic mould. 

As true as steel, as fair as light 

And strong to champion truth and right — 

A soul as guiltless as the sun. 

Through which with lighted lantern, none 

Would ever need to search for truth. 

Or earnest will, or honest worth. 

A soul as broad as Heaven's sjjan ; 

True nature's god like noble man. 

" 1 do not ask a stately form. 

That loves to breast the battle's storm. 

1 do not ask a titled name: 

A proud heart sighing after fame. 

I ask a calm and fearless eye: 

.\ soul that (lares to do or die — 

I ask a noble earnest fa( e. 

With smile of love and manly grace- 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 235 

I ask my name be on his heart, 
My life be of his Hfe a part, 
And written on his memory's scroll. 
My love the poem of his soul. 
A poem time can never mar, 
' As round and perfect as a star.' 

" My earthly dreams have been like this, 
If Heaven deny me such a bliss ; 
Methinks in fadeless worlds afar, 
Our souls shall sparkle as one star. 
And on the hills of perfect bliss, 
We'll taste the joys unfound in this, 
And drink our thirsting spirits full. 
And when our soul communion's dull. 
We'll wing our angel spirits far, 
Through every universe and star ; 
And while we rest, and while we soar 
We'll taste new joys forever more ; 
And sail with spirits glad and free, 
A thousand worlds of destiny. 

'- If soul be soul, if spirit power, 
Can reach beyond the dying hour ; 
Our loved shall meet us and be pressed, 
Unto our bosom's fond caress. 
Else why the prisoned hopes release, 
Else can our yearning souls find peace. 



236 EDEN DELL, OR 

Or heaven — or endless perfect bliss ? 
If in that fadeless world I miss, 
His presence, heaven's charming bower, 
Will shrivel like a withered tiower ; 
And through a myriad worlds sublime, 
Relentless as the flight of time, 
I'd wing my deathless spirit free. 
And seek him through eternity. 

" And if in all the worlds of God, 
I find not foot-prints where he trod ; 
Like Noah's dove my weary feet. 
Would seek that ark of last retreat , 
Unknown to souls — that dismal barque. 
Non-entity, destruction dark. 
Seek sweet Oblivion's seas that roll. 
To still the heart and drown the soul." 
>;< :^ 5)< i-i >[< >;i 

Within a city's suburbs, where 
Proud wealth had built her mansions fair, 
'Mid bright spring days, mild, fair and cool; 
Fair Ethel taught a prosperous school. 
Dwelt with some friends in mansion fine, 
Embowered 'mid trees and blooming vine ; 
'Twas Hugh McVeigh, so kind to all, 
Polite and courteous, manly tall ; 
Ardent in speech, firm though polite, 
With frankest eye, and keenest sight; 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 237 

And Maud St. Clare, the proud brunette, 
His dark-eyed wife with hair of jet. 

As all at table sat one day, 

Thus to his wife spoke Hugh McVeigh : 

"I have a letter just received. 

From Truman Gray. My friend is grieved, 

And wants to know if I can tell, 

Where dwells the maid of Eden Dell.'' 

A blush came o'er the teacher's cheek. 

As for a moment none did speak ; 

" When we together roved the west, 

He twice to me his love confessed 

For this fair maid, while we discussed, 

Her faithless love, his foolish trust : 

And bid him swear life was a cheat. 

And woman's love a base deceit. 

But he was firm and still would hold, 

While there was dross, there still was gold. 

la other days but this he'd tell, 

' He loved the maid of Eden Dell.' " 

Then to the teacher, " Now her name. 

He writes in full and 'tis the same, 

If I mistake not, as your name." 

She said " 1 once did live and well, 

At my old home at Eden Dell ; 

When he came back I thought him dead, 

Had mourned him two years as the dead : 



238 EDEN DELL, OR 

Else had I ne'er my trust denied, 
Or been another's promised bride." 

Then Hugh McVeigh wrote on that day, 
And mailed the same to Truman Gray ; 
The letter never reached the hand, 
Of him upon Pacific's strand. 
Thus Ethel learned he lived was true ; 
And when no answer came thereto, 
She sought her uncle in the west. 
And then in doubtings and unrest. 
Resolved to see the land of gold, 
And there her lover's fate unfold. 




LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 



239 



CANTO NINETEENTH. 

TWO SCENES AND A CHAPTER. 

'Twas sunset. From the skies afar 

Pour down the golden rills; 
The sun, upon his crimson car, 

Slopes o'er the western hills 
And lays the grasp of his red hand 

On mountains glowing like a brand, 
And spreads the wild glare of his rays 
'Till sky and plain seem all ablaze. 

The distant Rocky Mountain hights 

Their lofty ranges show. 
Like white fires on their battlements. 

Blaze forth their caps of snow. 
Far on the plain's extended sheen. 

Like specks of white, two trains are seen 
On Colorado's plains they stand— 

This prairie schooner caravan. 
One pointed East, one pointed West— 

And this the scene, as thus they rest. 



240 EDEN DELL, OR 

Near by the train that's westward bound 

Are stalwart men and brave, 
Who, m a Httle group, stand 'round 

A fresh and new-heaped grave. 
A sturdy pioneer that morn, 

Who held all Indian guile in scorn. 
Strayed from his train, ahead, 

When Indians in the tall grass lay. 
And, from their ambush, shot him dead — 

Robbed, scalped and left him on the way. 

So now they halt, at set of sun, 

And dig a lonely grave. 
And left a heap of nameless clods 

Upon the prairie wave. 
His son, a noble boy of ten. 

His wife and niece were near. 
O, when was grief so dark as then, 

Above an earthly bier ? 
No words were read, no words were said — 

All bowed in grief above the dead. 

The boy had spent his grief in sobs. 
And now, through falling tears. 

His eyes flashed like two glowing stars 
Amid the distant spheres. 

He sprang and knelt upon the grave — 
He raised his hands on high. 



LOVE'S WAXDERIXGS. 241 

As if his soul, for vengeance, gave 

A vow unto the sky : 
" Cursed be the dastard, savage foe 

That laid my fearless father low ! 
A thousand curses on their lives, 

Their lands, their children and their wives! 
May Heaven, with red-hot vengeance, burn 

And smite these sons of Cain, 
And, from yon fiery, setting urn, 

Fever and famine rain ! 
And here, I, on my father's grave. 

Eternal vengeance swear 
When manhood's gained, no lurking foe 

Shall my true rifle spare!" 

He lifted his fair, boyish face 

Toward the setting sun, 
That threw the splendor of its grace 

O'er this heroic one. 
No Hannibal, in fiery youth. 

Swore vengeance on proud Rome, 
With more of grandeur or of truth. 

Nor drove his vengeance home, 
In after years, with greater zeal — 

None made the murderous savage feel 
That vengeance followed at his heel 

So deadly and so stern, as he 
That now, in sorrow, bent the knee. 



242 EDEN DELL, OR 

They sought to lead him from the grave ; 

He chmg the closer still, 
As if his father he would save 

And strove his place to fill. 
His mother plead with sobbing prayer; 

His cousin Ethel, young and fair, 
Threw back the ringlets of his hair 

And bid him now return. 
Within her own she took his hand 
And smiled through tears so sweet and bland, 

It made his bosom yearn. 
O ! she was fair. Perfection's prayer 

Of beauty ever shone 
Upon her peerless features, rare 

As jewels on a throne. 

He rose and said, " O ! Ethel, dear, 

And will my father never here 

Come in his strength with smile to cheer, 

Nor fondly bless us more ? 
Beyond the scenes of sunset here 

You say there is a shore 
Where souls are free from death and pain ; 
But will he never come again — 

Come never, never more ? 
Was God so good, and yet he stood 

And saw my father slain ? 
O ! could I spill their savage blood, 

I'd deluge all the plain." 



LOVE'S WAXDERINGS. 248 

" Ah, child I you Httle dream or know 
How man hath caused man's blood to flow, 
And vengeance — it is of the Lord's; 
Yet man hath made it whet his sword 
And drink the marrow of his foes, 
And in a thousand fields and feuds 
Hath dealt its deadly blows. 
Yet God is good. Beyond the sun 
Trust when this course of life is done, 
The soul will lose its woes, 
And as the cycling ages run. 
Find endless, sweet repose. " 

She led him gently by the hand. 
And men and women of the band 

In silent tears return. 
The sun went down an orb of fire. 
Yet threw the red glare of his ire 

From out his vanished urn. 

And now the wife in sorrow knelt ; 
The brave boy in his bosom felt 

That day that vengeance gave 
New fever to his youthful veins, 
An anguish, deeper than all pains, 
And dried the scalding tears he wept. 
He stole away that night and slept 

Upon his father's grave. 



244 EDEN DELL, OR 



Behold the moon 1 the fair, full moon ! 

Her silvery shield exalt, 
And shimmering through the shadows soon 

Walk up the starry vault. 
Within the train whose silent face 

Fronts t'ward the rising sun. 
Lying beneath a tent you trace 

A sick and feverish one. 

A group of men stood at his feet, 

His brow was flushed with fever' s heat, 

And straying from its dwelling far 

Regardless of the will, 
His mind seemed as a wandering star 

That silence could not still. 
And fancy led his thoughts away 
Where reason threw a flickering ray, 
And wild distorted visions grew 
And vanished as the morning dew. 

The moon arose with pale white face, 
And threw the soft light of her grace 

So lovingly and free, 
Upon his throbbing feverish brow. 
And woke him from his dreams, and now 

He wildly said : " See, see I 
She is coming, see her coming 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 245 

Through the rift of twiHght bars, 
From the vale beyond the sunset, 

In the island of the stars. 
From the cloud beyond the mountain, 

I can hear the music swell, 
Angel voices singing sweetly 

As the chiming of a bell. 

'"Tis the Eden where I loved her — 

'Tis the maid of Eden Dell, 
And my soul is torn to fragments 

By the anguish of the spell ; 
For the words that she is singing 

Is forever fare thee well, 
In the heaven where I am dwelling 

Thou canst never hope to dwell." 

" O ! the purple dawn of morning 

Shall I never see again ? 
Must the darkness feed upon me 

As I wander in my pain? 
Must I drink the lurid lightning 

Like fresh water from a spring, 
And its fires burn within me 

Yet my heart be taught to sing ? 

"Seel upon yon firey billow 
Climbing up a blazing crag. 



^46 EDEN DELL, OR 

Is a black and scoffing demon 
And a grinning, toothless hag. 

They are scoffing at an angel 

Smiling through a cloud above — 

'Tis the one that I have trusted ; 
'Tis the angel of my love. 

" But the Heavens dissolve around her, 

And a thousand trumpets swell, 
For the loveliest of the angels 

Is the maid of Eden Dell." 
He ceased. A footstep near the tent 

Paused softly in the course it went, 
And sweet as music on the sea, 

A soft voice spoke, " 'Tis he, 'tis he." 

What charm hath made that bosom swell. 

And lit that glowing eye ? 
Was it the name of Eden Dell, 

That caused that startled cry ? 
She entered, and the stalwart men. 

Stood back as she passed by. 
They thought the angel of his dream, 

Had dropped from out the sky. 

" O! Truman dear! and are you here?" 
Then from her eye she brushed a tear. 

And knelt beside him there. 

She laid her hand upon his brow, 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 24' 

She gazed into his eyes, and now 
She seemed to be in prayer. 
" And is my face so strangely grown 
Your Ethel is to you unknown ?" 
She said in sad and plaintive tone 
As rolled his vacant eye ? " 

His soul seemed to have caught a strain 
Strange and familiar, yet in vain, 
Remembrance could not make it plain, 

He knew not whence or why. 
He tried to think, he tried to rise, 
He scanned her wildly with his eyes, 
And said " No more, I see a shore. 
Where men are wading in their gore. 

What gashed and bleeding ones ! 
And feeding is the carion crow, 
As they walk ever to and fro 
Upon their dripping bones. 

" No no, this ugly scene is o'er. 

Heaven's streams have washed that dismal shore. 

And they are angels ; see them soar ! 
Lo ! it is resurrection's morn — 
See how the bones dissolve in scorn 

To pure ethereal clay, 
As through the vista of the morn, 

Bright winged they soar away. 



248 EDEN DELL, OR 

"■ Behold lier eyes stream from the skies, 
Like the gleam of a glowing star, 

And her angel spirit sweetly rise, 
Through nebulous mists afar. 

And through the dawn of new-born day 

Bright wings have come to bear me away. 

" Away — away! " His head fell back, 
His eyes, like meteors on their track. 

Flashed wild and bright. 
At length the soft light of her eye 
Charmed like a soothing lullaby. 
And her kind voice, so sweetly near, 
Fell Hke soft music on his ear, 

Enchanting as delight. 
Her gentle touch, her dainty tread, 
The moist cloth laid upon his head, 

Love's silent glance, the dropping tear. 
Brought stillness and a quiet cheer. 
Her dimpled hands now caught the power 

To calm him in delirium's hour. 

And there she watched the fever's strife 
And nursed the flickering spark of life. 
And bathed his brow the long, long night, 
Nor thought of rest or sweet repose 
Until the morning sun arose. 
Then, early in the glowing day. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 249 

As moved the westward train away, 

They led her, with resisting plea, 
From where her sleeping patient lay, 

Almost as sick and wild as he. 

Jl< >1< j!c ^< >i< 

One week had rolled her days of gold 

Along the path of time, 
While, shimmering through the amber fold 

Of skies that bend sublime, 
The sun from out his hights of old, 

Rode through his azure clime. 
Young Truman on his charger rode 
Along a rugged mountain road, 

And oft repressed a sigh. 
He rode in haste, though it was clear 
'Twas not from danger or from fear — 

No fear could daunt his eye. 
The startled bear within the wood. 
The prowling wolf that snarling stood, 
Nor savage peering round a tree 

Could chill the blood of such as he. 

At length he heard the distant tramj) 
Of movers who had left their camp, 

Beyond him in the vale. 
He reached it as they moved away. 
Yet some beside the camp fire stay 

And listen to his tale : 



250 EDEN DELL, OR 

" How from that fearful fever well, 
'Tis needless for me now to tell, 

But where — O, where is she 
Who nursed me in that fever's spell, 
Whom then I knew not — now too well 

She's fondly known to me ? " 

Then sobbing spoke the boy of ten, 
"She sleeps here in this mountain glen 

Within yon mountain side. 
Fever and grief hath racked her brain 
Since father died, and she in pain 

Watched at your sick bed side — 
And I upon my father's grave. 
She sought me, heard your feverish rave, ^ 
And strove with all her heart to save, 

But death has claimed his bride." 

" No, God forbid !" he said, and hid 
His face within his hands. " O ! bid 

My soul deny its truth, 
O say that God hath quenched the sun 
And caused all streams to backward run. 

Made wrinkled age as youth. 
Hath cursed the flowers that sweetest bloom, 
Turned sunlight into mid night gloom. 
But say not she rests in the tomb 

My soul will curse its truth." 



LOVE'S WANDERIXGS. 251 

Then spoke again the boy of ten, 

" Three days we camped within the glen, 

Two days she had no pulse, and then 

They said that she was dead. 
Those days we sat beside her form 
And O ! I thought her heart was warm 

And many tears I shed. 
At length I saw them take a spade 
And mark off where she should be laid 

Within the dismal ground. 

"Then I arose — besought — forbade 
That if a grave must, should be made 

A better could be found. 
What, lay her in the dark cold clay 
Where wolves may dig, and worms may prey? 

Heaven save us from this fault 

' •' But in ihe solid mountain's side 
Like ancients hurried those who died 
With pick and spade there fashion wide 

A deep and solid vault. 
They listened and at last they tried 
And dug a grave all deep and wide 

Within the solid rock. 
And there they placed her coffin lone 
Deep in the solid heart of stone 

That tempests could not shock. 



252 EDEN DELL, OR 

They fitted in its mouth a block, 
And then upon its door of rock 
They carved in letters rude and plain 
The simple words of ' Ethel Vane.' 

' ' She dying said that death was gain 
The grave would bring a sweeter pain 

Than any earth could give. 
That here the weary heart would rove 
But love would bloom in bliss above 

Where loving souls could live. 

" O sir ! we some times judge amiss 

And reason not as do the wise 
Who think upon the spirits bliss 

In its bright home beyond the skies. 
For when we look on those who've died, 

Robed in white garments for the tomb, 
They should seem as a lonely bride 

When first she wears the orange bloom ; 
Unfettered from the ills of strife, 
Wed unto life, eternal life." 

Then thrice the horseman slacked the rein, 
Thrice bowed him to his chargers mane 

With fixed and vacant eye. 
Then rousing from his dream again 
Too deeply stunned to feel his pain 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 253 

He threw himself upon the earth 
And bid them all " Go forth, go forth, 
Go leave me here to die." 



The sun sloped o'er the western hills 

And threw his golden glare 
Where Truman Gray in sorrow spills 

His earnest soul in ])rayer. 
He said, " O mountains bow your head ; 

O sky bend down and answer now, 
Where shall I find my loved— my lost, 

Where hide this throbbing, aching brow 



"I ask of thee all seeing sun, 

Where e'er thy mighty orbits run. 

Where worlds on worlds crowd on thy sight 

Like insects in the summer hght, 

From this lone star all tempest-tossed. 

Where dwells my sweet, my loved, my lost ? 

'' Ye stars ! ye constellations bright ! 
God's worlds of beauty and of light, 

O 1 tell me if your peerless spheres 
Contain an angel robed in white 

Free from all sorrow, and all tears, 
That I shall fold unto my breast — 
And in eternity be blest? 
O Ethel ! Shall we meet again 
Beyond all sorrow, toil and i:)ain, 



:o4 EDEN DELL, OR 

In joy, in fadeless beauty meet ? 
No thorny paths for weary feet, 
But thou my gladsome angel sweet? 

"I've asked it of the rolling years 

That sweep like torrents to the sea ; 
I've asked it of man's hopes and fears 

That reach far o'er eternity. 
I've asked it of the mighty God 
That plants sweet flowers upon the sod ; 
I've asked this of the blooming trees, 
The spring, the green grass and the breeze. 
If they shall bless each summer day, 
Shall human flowers more fair than they 
Bloom but to perish and decay ? 
If they but bloomed that death might cull, 
Why didst thou make them beautiful ?" 

The sun sank lower in the West, 
The evening star advanced her crest. 
He pressed his brow, he bowed his head, 
Then, looking to the sky, he said : 
' ' Methought the sun in crimson dyed, 
Methought the eternal stars replied : 
' Beyond, where Time her billows roll, 
The sum and essence of the soul 
Shall still exist — live and be blest — 
God's chosen ones — God's honored guest; 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 255 

And there thou shalt thy love enfold 
In perfect bliss, while ages roll. 
Else why such longings wrapt in sod — 
Else why ? The soul is part of God. 
That it should live a thousand years 
Beyond all time — free from all tears — 
Is it a greater mystery, say, 
Than to be born and live one day ?' 

" God spake. His words were suns and worlds 

That rolled like chariot wheels in flight, 
And, on their trackless path, unfurled 

Their banners, dipped in fadeless light. 
He shaped a form of earthly clay 
And breathed upon it. And the ray 
He kindled was immortal life — 
To dwell awhile 'mid earthly strife; 
Then, soaring heavenward, take its flight 
Through those vast worlds of fadeless light. 
The dragon — Death — spread forth his wings 

And threw a shadow o'er its day ; 
But, like the flash the lightning brings. 

It sped upon its starry way. 

"Yes, Ethel, we shall meet again — 

Where islands slumber in the sea, 
And streams of life make glad the ]3lain — 

In the gardens of eternity ; 



256 



Where flowers of fragrant beauty bloom, 
Nor time can blast, nor death consume. 
Pile up your walls of massive speech — 

Your granite logic — tier on tier. 
Hedge in the soul — ye skeptics teach 

This house of clay prescribes its sphere. 
That you can reason and reply. 
Is proof the soul can never die. 
To //link, is to live on — fo be, 
To love is imniorialiiy. 
For safe within the pearly gates, 
Love's lost jewel shining waits; 
Folded hands on pulseless breast 
Is but the casket laid at rest." 

And now more calmly doth he rise. 
And bending strong a rock doth prize 

From out the mountain side — 
From out the grave that they had made, 
Hewn in the rock with pick and spade — 
He enters now. The coffin lid 
He lifts from o'er the form it hid. 

And now the golden tide. 
From out the windows of the sun 
Falls on the lovely face of one 

Who seems a sleeping bride. 
The living pressed the seeming dead, 
Threw back the ringlets of her head 



LOVE'S WASDERINGS. 257 

And kissed her marble brow, 
And said : '^ O, heart to heart may give 
A thrill, to cause the dead to live, 

And heaven may answer now. 

" Sure love may enter even graves — 
All things are fair, all things are pure, 
And naught of evil e'er can lure 

The heart that seeks and saves. 
They said her pulse was still, was still — 
It seems I feel the slightest thrill." 
He placed his hand above her heart, 
Then, with a glad and sudden start 

He said: ''She lives! she Hves I " 
Then, on her lips he pressed a kiss, 

Their silence to unseal, 
As if he thought love's thrill of bliss 

Could cause death's self to feel, 
And steal away that dreamless sleep 
Where love can neither smile nor weep. 

He chaffed her dimpled ivory hands 

And warmed her marble brow. 
And tried to start again life's sands, 

So feebly starting now. 
" What is it, I ask of thee, O, death ! 

And what O, heaven above, 
But a soul brought back from the gates of death 

And a woman's wonderous love?" 



258 EDEN DELL, OR 

He raised her in his arms and wept, 
And, from the death-Uke trance she slept 

He tried to kindle life. 
And in his arms with silent tear, 
He bore her to the camp fire near 

And stirred it into life. 
There wrapt her in some blankets warm, 
And bowed above her breathless form. 
The sunset gold streamed from the sky. 
The laughing brook, stole softly by 

As if it was a solemn thing 
For man to love, or maid to die. 



At length he placed her on his steed. 
And mounting, in his arms with speed 
He bore her westward o'er the plain, 
And ere the dawn they reached the train. 



-*^cfe-.— ^ 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 259 



CANTO TWENTIETH. 

MOUNTAIN MEADOW MASSACRE. 

On Utah's vales the sun had set, 

Draped in her golden shrouds ; 
The moon strode through the tangled net 

Of bright and silvery clouds, 
And lit the jeweled helmet spread 
Above the silent hills, and shed 
Refulgent glory o'er their head ; 
And dipped the mountain-tops in white — 
As fair as morn, as still as night. 

The dimpled waves of Great Salt Lake, 
Beneath the moonbeams play ; 

And southward shone fair Utah Lake, 
And southward Mountain Meadow lay. 

The rugged hights of Wasatach 

Looked, through the shadows, pale, 

To where the gleam of camp-fires flash, 
In Mountain Meadow vale; 

And warriors grim, of sable hue, 

Talked by the fires in groups of few — 



260 EDEN DELL, OR 

It was a grim and motley sight — 
Of Indian, Archee and Danite. 
Ill suited it, those groups, to tell 
How they attacked, like demons fell. 
That train now camped in strong corral — 

That, traveling to the land of gold, 
Had sought the Southern Pass, 

To save them from the winter's cold — 
To find their graves, alas! 

How they approached through the ravine 

And drove their stock away; 
And in their ambush, and unseen. 

Fired on the train at break of day. 
A dozen fell beneath that fire. 

Which roused the emigrants' stern ire. 
They chained their wagons each to each — 

They ditched and fortified with care — 
They drew their rifles of long reach 

And fought, strong armed, with bosoms bare. 

Ill-fared they, then, the lurking foe — 

Their fierce attack was vain — 
For stalwart men hurled back the blow 

And thinned their ranks with slain. 
The bullets flew — the bullets slew — 
From frontier marksmen, strong and true ; 
They scatter, form their ranks anew 
'Till backward hurled and routed, too. 



LOVE'S WANBERiyOS. 261 

The emigrants have won the day, 

The foe hide on the hilly hight ; 
And now besiege and guard the way, 

And fear to join the deadly fight 
'Gainst those that battle for the right — 

'Gainst arms nerved by the desperate will 
To sell their lives most dear. 

And guard their wives and children still. 
Through every danger, strife and fear. 

Five days besiege. At length the foe 

Conceive the dark design, 
By treachery, to lay them low — 

And cruelty, condign. 
For, having fought from day to day, 
And turned repulsed from every fray, 
These Mormon saints and savage fiends. 
Thus allied for dark, murderous ends. 
Deemed treachery gave the only art 
To crush these men of vahant heart. 

So, dropping their dark, Indian guise, 

Haight, Lee, and others on this wise, 

Advance. The emigrants now see 

A wagon with a flag of white 

And white men, whom they hail with glee. 

And lift a girl, all dressed in white, 

And signal to draw near — alight. 



Ii<i2 EDEN DELL, OR 

For on that Mead, five miles by two, 
They knew naught but a savage foe; 
And, unsuspecting, gladly lend 
Consent to meet as friend with friend. 

Think ye, e'er on the boundless plain, 
Beat hearts more gladly wildly than they, 

Unloaded from dark dread and pain, 
As the besieged, that hour and day 

They saw the friendly whites appear, 

And welcomed them with lusty cheer ? 

For, in the heart of mountains wild, 
They had no transportation there — 

Their cattle gone, and danger piled 
Her billows o'er their hearts of care. 
These sainted fiends, with honied smile, 

Say, "They, as friends, have come to save 
The emigrants from savage guile. 

And snatch them from a bloody grave. 

" The savages are fierce and strong, • 

But, if they'll give up arms and train 
And trust them, they will right the wrong. 

And see that none — not one — are slain ; 
And guard them to the towns near by, 
Where Mormons rule and none shall die. 
They'd have the Indians spare their lives, 
Nor harm their children nor their wives." 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 263 

And they consent. It best did seem. 

Unarmed, they gather on the green — 
With gladsome steps did go — 

While in that Mormon guard, is seen 
Their former lurking foe. 

Some yards they march when with a yell, 

Like fiends who knew their work too well. 

Their guard turn on these unarmed men, 

And slay them like fat beeves in pen. 

And rifles blaze and bullets hail, 

And fearful echoes shake the vale. 

They shoot, they slay, they strew the way 

With brave as ever joined the fray. 

No time to seek, no quarter given, 

The knife and tomahawk are driven 

Through flesh and limb, through heart and brain, 

And thus this noble band were slain. 

Heavens! what a fearful slaughter then; 

Foul murder of brave helpless men ; 

Wet with their blood the heather waves, 

And gory were their nameless graves. 

While forward in the captive train, 

Their anguished wives behold them slain. 

And shrieks and groans of wild despair, 

Are borne upon the maddened air. 

The guards now turn on youths and wives — 

Inhuman slaughter none survi\es. 

IS 



264 EDEN DELL, OR 

Behold ! back in the startled train 

Young Truman gaze and fondly bow, 
In all the anguish of his pain. 

Above a lovely form that now 
Seemed waking from a dream. 
She woke, yet seemed to think perchance 
That still she dreamed, for with a glance 
She partly rose ; she sighed ; she smiled, 
And shuddered at the shrieks so wild, 

That now alarmed her ears. 
When Truman saw her troubled smile, 
He soothed her like a petted child, 

And tried to still her fears 
*' Ethel! ■' he said, "four weeks to-day, 
They laid you in the tomb away, 

Believing you were dead. 

^' I sought you, bore you all alone 
From tomb within that heart of stone. 

Where they had made your bed. 
I reached the train, all now is plain — 
'Tis Indian war, I can't remain. 
I fear their guile, now rest awhile, 
I will return," and with a smile 
He seized his rifle, strode away, 
To come no more upon that day. 

When he had left her presence, lo ! 
Burst on his sight the slaughtering foe, 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 265 

Who now commenced to whet their steel, 
On women praying as they kneel. 
While from the train rolled fast and wide, 
The savage yell and gory tide. 
Then Truman's rifle pointed well — 
Each flash a distant savage fell. 
Beside him stood the boy of ten, 
And fought as brave and coolly then. 

When others sought the open plain ; 

All guarded by the treacherous foe, 
They with fair Ethel did remain, 

Who convalescing slow. 
Her consciousness did scarcely gain, 

'Till starded by those shrieks of woe, 
She -woke a deeper grief to know. 

She 'woke to hear the welkin ring; 
The rifles crack, the bullet sin" ; 
The shriek of wives ; the clash of knives ; 
The death groan of a hundred lives. 
To catch her lover's words and smile, 
Then tremble at the dangers wild, 
That wrapt as fire a funeral pile. 

Then Truman and the boy of ten. 
Fought well and nobly, but no pen 
Can paint the slaughter fierce the while 
Of savage rage and Mormon guile ; 



266 EDEN DELL, OR 

Or Truman's anguish when he saw 
No courage known to human law — 
No feat of strength or daring brave, 
From slaughter's tide could hope to save 

The woman that he loved. 
When closely pressed the dastard foe, 
He clubbed his rifle, at each blow 
He hewed a pathway wide before, 

And well his courage proved. 
But courage now availed him naught. 
To save the train or her he sought. 
Pressed backward by the gory wave. 
He deemed it best his life to save ; 
Not rash in folly's useless strife, 
To end the faded hopes of life. 

He and the boy with nimble feet, 
Through a dark ravine found retreat, 
And while fierce pillage rolled her tide, 
They sought and reached the mountain side. 
And covering well their winding trail, 
They wandered on through mount and vale 
For days and weeks still journeyed far, 
Until they reached a fort of war. 
There told their tale of dangers wild ; 
Of Indian rage, and Mormon guile. 
'Twas doubted then, but since proved true. 
That Brigham of the slaughter knew — 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 267 

Ordered attack, and then did share 
The hon's part of booty there. 
This monster saint smiled on the deed 
Of crime, that made the Gentiles bleed. 

The sun all-seeing, whose bright eye 

Lights up the universe of time. 
Turned black as Erebus, would die 

At sight of such incarnate crime. 
But that the future holds for these, 

Beyond their brief, accurs'd probation, 
A torment, wide and deep as seas. 

And seven-fold hot with red perdition. 
But for the antidote to come. 

The very worlds would stand aghast. 
And maddened angels, with swift tread, 

Unbar the gates of all the past 
And leap the chasm of all wrath, 

To shatter vengeance on their head. 

If retribution these shall miss — 

If good and bad that sink to dust 
Must tread alike the realms of bliss ; 

If monsters of such crime and lust 
Must with the righteous join their song 

Or sleep alike the eternal night ; 
Where, then, is Justice ? Here's a wrong 

The power of God could not make right. 



EDEN DELL, OR 

Retribution — hurt whom it may — 

Is part of Justice and God's sway — 

The fitness of eternal things ; 

'Tis Truth well armed, and Law on wings. 

Say it is not — and Reason's mad, 

And you abolish good and bad. 

The lovers thus were parted far, 
While Hope seemed as a fading star 

That soon — too soon, must set. 
Yet sickness, death and carnage spared 
The life of her who all these shared — 

In beauty Hngering yet. 
For where she shone rude discord ceased, 
And smiled — her beauty carried peace. 
Her very weakness proved a shield ; 
Ere turned that horde from carnage field, 

The Indian Agent, Hamlin, came. 

Her voice, her beauty charmed him so 
He vowed to shield from harm and woe — 

Her safety at all hazard claim. 
And thus he spoke, and raised his brand: 
" Her life — her safety I demand. 
No Mormon stands more true than I ; 
Who harms her by this sword shall die." 

His word was law to red men there; 
They feared him, and fell back in haste; 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 269 

Not so a Danite with long hair, 

Strode on and said, ' ' No words to waste 

Where this 'avenging angel' sweeps,'' 

And bounded forward at two leaps. 

Hamlin disdained to use his steel, 
But caught him with a grip like vise 

And crushed his head against a wheel 
As one would crush a shell of ice. 

Another came his sword to thrust — 
He shivered it like bits of dust. 
And ground his breast beneath his heel 
And pinned it there with pointed steel. 
" Stand back ! Beware ! for he will find 
' Who enters here leaves hope behind.' " 

'^Though I be Mormon, ye may fear 
The Government that sends me here. 
One word from me, and you may stand 
More cursed than is yon slaughtered band, 
But grant me this, and none shall need 
To know from me your murderous deed." 
He stood there like a frowning tower. 
And crushed them with his words of power. 
He emphasized each word he spoke 
With sword guard and a ])onderous stroke 
On axle tire, and at the last, 
He ground it like to bits of glass 



1^70 



EDEN DELL, OR 



Beneath his hand. With strength to dare 
Dead at his feet and forehead bare, 
He scowled Hke Hon fierce at bay, 
And held them till he had his way, 
Soon had her borne in haste with care 
Unto his house, some miles from there, 
When well, in secret sent her home, 
Where she arrived no more to roam. 




LOVE'S WAXDERIXGS. 271 



CANTO TWENTY-FIRST. 

THE SPANISH MAID — AN EPISODE. 

On California's golden strand, 
Where proud Pacific skirts the land, 
Where once a mining town had stood 
A city 'rose in bustling mood, 
And costly mansions did appear 
Along a mountain streamlet clear ; 
While cottages, a cheerful sight, 
Befront the streets in rows of white, 
And order reigned and social life. 
Where once was scenes of rudest strife. 

There in a cottage neat and fair. 

Together sat an aged pair ; 

An aged Spaniard and his spouse. 

Whose heads were white, whose forms were bowed, 

And on whose face of wrinkled care 

A shade of sorrow lingered. There 

They sat in silence — feeble, old. 

Before a grate of slumbering coal 

Whose flickering shades of light and gloom 

Spread o'er the dimly lighted room. 



EDEN DELL, OR 

While hanging o'er the mantle rare, 

Was picture of a maiden fair — 

Dark, melting eyes, with dreamy grace, 

Set off a lovely, lustrous face 

And placid brow, where sable braid. 

In dark and glossy folds were laid. 

'Twas twilight. On the hills afar 
The night advanced her sable car, 
And o'er the sky of darkening blue 
The dusky shadows grew, and grew ; 
While, through the shadows might be seen, 
A fair-haired man with business mien 
Advancing to the cottage — where 
He ope'd the door and entered. There, 
When all were seated, and a light 
Dispelled the shadows of the night — 
And, when the smouldering fire was fed. 
One of the aged couple said : 
" Well, Sefior; we are growing old 
And soon may die ; so we were told 
To have a lawyer write our will — 
Though we've no heirs — yet still — yet still, 
The thought does make my old eyes fill — 
W> once did have a fair young girl 
With rosy face, and glossy curl, 
That romped and played with gladsome glee- 
Light of our home, but now ah, me I 



LOVE'S WANDEKIXGS. 273 

We're old, and lonely as you see, 
No child to cheer our aged years, 
No comfort but in silent tears; 
But hence to go, nor leave behind 
Descendant of our name and kind." 

And then she wept, till, to her aid 

The old man came, and sadly said : 

" She was our angel in her glee, 

In childhood oft she climbed my knee. 

And talked, and smiled bewitchingly 

At morning's dawn, and evening's close; 

And grew in beauty like the rose. 

Fair as the morn at early dawn. 

Fair as the lillies on the lawm ; 

But one bright morn she disappeared. 

Nor aught of her since then we heard. 

I thought, that eve she kissed good night, 

That tears gleamed in her eyelids bright, 

And tears streamed through each tender word — 

Her voice shook as I ne'er had heard. 

I would not judge her harsh — unfair, 

Though * silver threads ' are in my hair 

That was most glossy black, the day 

We 'rose and found her gone away ; 

And yet I've thought — the thought I've cursed — 

That she fled with a vouth she nursed, 



274 EDEN DELL, OR 

Who, by the robbers, left for dead, 
She tended long at his sick bed. 
We ivill her all our large estate ; 
One-third to him who learns her fate 
And then restores her to her own. 
So write the will; our will is known." 
Earl Barring heard, and wrote with skill. 
Signed, witnessed, 'twas a legal will. 

And, when the business all was o'er, 
Earl Barring said : ' ' Three years ago 
I met a friend upon the plain. 
Who telling o'er his griefs again, 
Spoke of a fair Castillian maid ; 
Who and himself were captives made, 
Wlio nursed him, and who, at the stake, 
Still strived to save him for love's sake. 

I think it is of her you speak. 
And for her I will search and seek 
And naught will spare, till I declare 
If dead, or lives your daughter fair !" 
The old folks wept, and thanked him o'er. 
Until they parted at the door. 



Months after this, Earl Barring rode 
Along a dreary mountain road. 



LOVE'S WAXDERINGS. 275 

And urged his steed fleet as he could 

Through a dark Oregonian wood, 

The night approached — a storm was nigh, 

While, raging in the distant sky, 

The roaring thunders crash and peal 

Till, through their ribs of rock and steel. 

The hills and valleys seem to feel, 

And every leaflet on the tree 

To tremble with fear's agony ; 

And all the forest monarchs bowed 

Unto the thunder and the cloud. 

Still onv/ard came the driving storm 

That bent Earl Barring's graceful form, 

And snapped and tossed the forest trees. 

Like leaflets borne upon the breeze. 

As on he rode, with fearful force, 

Their limbs were scattered in his course, 

Till through the forest — little trod, 

He lost all traces of the road ; 

Still onward pressed through wilds unknown. 

Till night began to lower down. 

When, through the storm, he heard with fear. 

Pursuing hoof falls drawing near — 

And turning, soon did wondering spy 

A lady, mounted, gallop nigh. 

She rode erect, with graceful form. 
And seemed unconscious of the storm ; 



EDEN DELL, OR 

With cheeks flushed at the grandeur's scene, 
And flowing hair of sable sheen, 
She seemed Diana — huntress queen. 
Her mien, her hair — unbound by hood — 
Made her seem goddess of the wood, 
Nymph, fearless of all earthly harm, 
And empress of the raging storm. 
As she, approaching, galloped nigh, 
A tree-top, waving far on high, 
Came crashing down. Ere he could heed, 
It brushed Earl Barring from his steed 
And laid him, stunned, upon the ground 
Beneath its weight — that held him down. 

Almost as quick as could be seen 
She cleared the open space between, 
Dismounted, and then Earl released. 
And helped him on his waiting beast. 
He seemed amazed to thus behold 
A dark-eyed beauty brave and bold 
Assist him, and bind up his head. 
As gay and fearless thus she said, 
" What pity such a glorious storm 
So grand to see, should do you harm. 
Such dangers I have often dared, 
I've courted death and little cared." 
He thanked her with a courteous mien, 
And gazed bewildered on this queen. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 271 

Her dark-eyed splendor form so rare. 
Her horsemanship and features fair 
Was so bewitching to his eye 
He scarce could frame a wise reply. 

The path was wild, the way unknown 
But to his heroine guide alone ; 
She bade him follow; then for miles 
They galloped through the woodland wilds, 
Then halting as night's curtains fell; 
She said : " Just yonder in that dell 
The Indians in their wigwams dwell 
There long detained a captive, I 
Oft wished release, or wished to die, 
But ne'er have learned the distant way 
To where the towns and cities lay. 

"And long they've watched and spared my life 

For ransom, or a Chieftains wife. 

In distant wars the braves from home 

I am more privileged to roam.. 

" But stranger list, heed what you hear, 
If life and freedom's valued dear 
Conceal yourself here in this wood. 
And I will bring you needed food 
At early dawn. Here rest till then 
Concealed from worse than savage men." 



278 EDEN DELL, OR 

" A world of thanks fair, noble friend 
Heaven doth her fairest angel send 
To guide me through these unknown ways, 
Else should I perish. Coming days 
Shall claim from me thy grateful praise." 
Scarce ere this gallant speech was made 
She vanished through the woodland shade. 
Then soon exhausted nature sought 
The sweet oblivion Morpheus brought ; 
While in his dreams of storms that blew 
He saw an angel looking through. 
At dawn of day 'rose soft and clear 
This music on the atmosphere. 

SONG. 

Only a dark-eyed maid was she, 

Listing to love's wild melody; 

Treading the stairs to the golden sun, 

Where the soul will trust 'till the soul's undone ; 

Dreaming the golden dream "he's mine " 

'Till the heart glows " warm as a world of wine.' 

Sofdy she laughed in her witching glee ; 
Sweetly she dreamed "I am free, I am free." 
She knew not the song the wild birds feel, 
She knew not the chain and its links of steel; 
She knew but to list where his footsteps tread, 
And tremble with joy at words he said. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 279 

He won the heart that was pure and true ; 
He won the heart, and he broke it too. 
And now the heart once glad and free, 
Sighs to the Avild wood's minstrelsy. 
And though the wdld woods know it not, 
That longing heart hath ne'er forgot. 

She paused. Earl quickly rising, sees 

Her slow approaching through the trees. 

She bade good morn, and did alight, 

'i'hen said, '' Here's food for strength and flight," 

Then speaking thus he scanned her face, 

" I long have sought from place to place, 

A maid of fair Castillian race, 

Long years ago she left her home, 

And still continues far to roam. 

That she was captured some avow ; 

Her aged parents seek her now." 

Then she rejjhed, '"Tis her you see; 

I hoped they ne'er had grieved for me — 

1 wished no eye, not Heaven's above. 

To scan the mystery of my love. 

I wished like ship upon the wave, 

To sink where none could see or save, 

And not a bubble reach the shore. 

From where I sank to rise no more. 

And that the heart so wild untamed, 

That I have cursed, and some have blamed, 

19 



280 EDEN DELL, OR 

Might moulder back to whence it came, 
Unwept, unknown, without a name. 
Far from my kindred and my kind, 
I'd track the mysteries of the mind; 
And build a palace in my scorn. 
Upon the golden gates of morn ; 
Bedeck it with the jeweled stars, 
And with the rainbow's spangled bars. 

'' There lift the curtain of the skies. 
And bid eternal visions rise ; 
Trace through the essence of the soul, 
My being back to God, the whole — 
As from a seed, the forests trace, 
So from this soul, the worlds of space, 
And up and onward till I find 
The endless universe of mind. 
But, as a wounded, suffering dove, 
I'd shun the ways of trust and love — 
I'd ask of God who what thou art, 
And what this mystery in my heart. 

"I'd scorn an angel from above 
If it but whispered, ' love ! love ! ' 
I'd write upon the zenith sky 
A blazing song of that proud lie — 
As briUiant as the crimson stars, 
As dreadful as the clash of wars. 



LOVE'S WAXDERINGS. 281 

I'd pin it to the nightly moon, 

And to the dazzHng sun at noon. 

I'd send it crashing through the brain 

Till every trusting fool was slain. 

I once was queen of fairy isles 

Where castles rose like diamond piles, 

That glittered in the golden sun, 

Where silver streams to music run, 

And knights were gay and hearts were won. 

'• But now those isles are barren rocks, 
That breast the storm and bear its shock. 
I've scanned the fabric of this world. 
The gauzy banners hope unfurl'd. 
Its wares and merchandise I brand 
Accursed, as the drifting sand 
Upon Sahara's scorching plain — 
But meant to blight and curse with pain. 

" I lift my hand to God on high, 
And brand Earth a stupendous lie — 
Where souls are cursed by blights of time 
And hearts must shrivel in their prime. 
Great God, 'tis not the world for me— 
Hand down a world from sorrow free. 
Where life is one perennial bloom. 
And hearts ne'er shudder at the tomb ; 
Where love flows out, and joy flows in, 
And souls ne'er dream of death or sin — 



282 EDEN DELL, OR 

Not like this life-path martyrs trod, 
Traced by the blood-tracks on the sod. 

" I'd rather dwell in forests wild, 
Tracked only by the forest child ; 
Far trom the haunts of men, alone — • 
A hermit, in a huf of stone; 
P'ar from ambition, love or fear. 
Unknown to sympathetic tear — 
Than, having loved, to be despised, 
Or, trusting, prove that trust unwise." 

Then spoke Earl Darring : ' ' But to day 
I deemed you gayest of the gay. 
Your thoughts and actions ill accord, 
I dreamt your heart ne'er knew a lord. 
Our lives have held an equal fate — 
Both trusting early suffer late. 
But what of that ? To truly love 
Ne'er soiled the plumage of a dove, 
Ne'er made a madmaa or a fiend, 
But raised us to the angel kind. 
Who tread the courts of bliss above, 
Whose every thought is winged with love. 

" For God carves on each leaf of time 
Love, as a poem, grand, sublime. 
Go read it, for it is the soul 
Of Him who did creation roll 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 283 

Upon the endless shoreless sea 
Of space and God's eternity. 
Who seeks will find that heaven above 
Is but the joy of sinless love. 
Then seek it in the world below. 
The rarest gift earth can bestow ; 
A foretaste of the heavenly bliss, 
The only Eden found on this 
Encrusted orb of rock and steel, 
Whose torn and cracked ribs deeply feel 
The raging hres beneath its crest, 
Like untamed passion in the breast. 
To curb these fires with wise control 
Is heaven's command unto the soul. 
Yet nature's mipulse must have vent, 
Or earthquakes rend its firmament. 

From heaven's wisdom this we draw 

Love is fulfillment of the law. 

And they see but perfection's rise, 

Who look through loves sweet-beaming eyes. 

Why, with bold pride and haughty scorn, 

A warrior once to empire born 

Threw back a world of crowns like this 

For Cleopatra's rapturing kiss. 

Even Hercules too': humble seat. 

And spun at fair Omphales' feet ; 

Lysander, for sweet Hero's glance. 

Oft braved the sea waves' dark expanse." 



284 EDEN DELL, OR 

" Yes," she replied, " some dupes have sighed, 

And some blown out their brains and died, 

On thoughtful men of judgment cool, 

Oft love has nobly written, ' fool !' 

And minds who've weighed the sun and stars 

Been prisoned by its silken bars. 

* ' I must suppose, on this earth's crest 
All feel it beating 'neath their vest. 
It is an old complaint, they say, 
That Adam had it in his day, 
And swapt his Paradise, the simple, 
For Mrs. Eve, and a bite of apple. 

"They say men, honored, great and true, 
Philosophers, and parsons, too, 
Men of brave actions, courage worth, 
Men who've subdued the mighty earth. 
Done all the great things 'neath the stars, 
Have felt their hearts beat 'neath its bars 
Like some poor wounded fluttering dove, 
When pierced by Cupid's dart of love ; 
Have dwelt with sweet, ecstatic bliss 
On woman's form and 'rapturing kiss," 

He said : " Scoff not — rebuke man's wrong, 
But not the tie that makes him strong. 
Love never made our manhoods weak, 
'Tis strength to dare, 'tis heaven to seek. 



LOVE' is WANDERINGS. 285 

If eagle eye will quail before 
And voices strong as battle's roar 
Sink trembling soft as maiden's sigh 
At sight of a soft beaming eye ; 
If spirits like the setting sun, 
Begirt with glories they have won, 
Who've mastered all the arts of time, 
Strong armed as giants in their prime ; 
Have blanched at sight of woman's face 
With its bright loveliness and grace ; 
"Tis homage to her nature due — 
And manhood's highest honor too. 

" This homage makes fond man to wield 
The ax in groves, the plow in field 
And belt the earth with iron bands 
To gather products of all lands. 
And fret the bosom of the seas 
With millions of rich argosies ; 
To win her love, and earn her praise, 
And bless her in a thousand ways. 

"And say not to the God on high 
Earth is a grand stupendous lie. 
Earth is our mother, from her clay 
Were made the forms we praise each day. 
And when the shores of death are pressed, 
Within her bosom we must rest. 



-'86 EDEN DELL, OR 

'Tis man hath wrinkled earth's sad brow, 
She once was heaven, what is she now? 
The gentJe mists bedewed her o'er, 
Where storms now beat and tempests roar. 
Once fruit and flowers spontaneous grew, 
And skies were one soft vail of blue ; 
Now man must force earth with the plow, 
And live by toil and sweat of brow. 
Yet by his soul-power he hath won, 
Some honor 'neath the circling sun ; 
Yet soul discards, and makes his goal. 
Heaven for the body, not the soul." 

She spoke, "This truth should well be known, 

Man does not live by bread alone ; 

But truly lives by wisdom's light; 

By knowledge, truth and love of right ; 

By honest worth and will to try ; 

By beauties of the earth and sky; 

By soul developed, strong and free; 

By works of faith, love, charity; 

And I can most admire the man, 

Who takes these in, as heaven's blue span 

Takes in the stars, and holds them there, 

Strong as the night in silent prayer." 

Then he, " Such souls are strong and feel 
Within the ring of clear blue steel ; 



LOVE'S WAXDERIXGS. 281 

Like mailed warriors came and went, 
And worlds bowed to their strong intent. 
There have been spirits who have trod, 
The earth and towered like a god ; 
Have walked amid the stars like night, 
Their brows begirt with beams of light ; 
Yet love hath made them weak or strong, 
As they loved wisely or loved wrong. 
Hath dropped into each earnest soul, 
Like dews of heaven, or beams of gold, 
Or leaping in the heart like fire, 
LTncurbed each wild and fierce desire. 
And wrapt it like a world on fire. 
Hath gained the chariot of the will, 
And seized the reins, urged passion till 
Truth, honor, sense and wisdom fell, 
And plunged them in the lowest hell," 

Juanita said, '• From pain long pa,st. 

Let not remorse dark lingering last ; 

But let us rear to heaven high, 

A wall above the sunset sky 

Of faded hopes. Let Gomorrahs blaze, 

God guides us into other ways ; 

And gives us strength to do and dare, 

And bear the ills we can ])ut bear. 

Now having breakfast'd, mount your steed, 

We've lingered long, and now must speed ; 



288 EDEN DELL, OR 

1 fear we're watched by Indian spies, 
Your steed awaits — time quickly flies." 

Scarce on his steed the horseman swung, 
When forth an ambushed Indian sprung, 
His rifle at Earl Barring raised ; when, lo ! 
She struck his steed a sudden blow ; 
Which jumped just as the Indian shot, 
Unhurt they galloped from the spot. 

From a rosy morn to a brilliant noon 
Two lovers rode gayly on and on. 

In the twilight gray, 'neath a laughing moon 
A new love came like a blushing dawn. 

They sighed a sigh, but not for the past, 

For the dreams of youth had vanished away, 

And the newest love will grow old at last, 
Each folly must have its own sweet day. 

Man can fall in love but once in a life. 
He may feel affection again and again. 

But the twilight calm 's too fair for strife, 
And a second love is a sweeter pain. 

The soul grows strong when its pride is bitter 
And the heart is mellowed by grief and pain, 

And our lives oft prove the wiser and better 

For the things we miss than the things we gain. 



LOVE'S WAXDEIUXGS. 289 

And the saddest thing on a dreary earth, 
Is a withered heart and a loveless life ; 
Where the fires of soul on a cheerless hearth, 
Lil^e Marios, brood o'er the ruins of strife. 

Though it be as the moon to the bright sunlight, 

A new love is better than sighing, 
And to nurse a pale dream in the cold twilight, 

Worse than heart to sweet heart replying. 

The picture is bright as a starry night, 
And the things I see, ah, me ! ah, me ! 

For the hours go round with a fresh delight, 
And the future spreads like a sunset sea. 




290 EDEN DELL, OR 



CANTO TWENTY-SFXOND. 

THE WEDDING EDEN REBUILT. 

When weeks had passed, and months had rolled, 

And Autumn spread her skirts of gold, 

And trees assumed their robes of brown 

And shook their golden glories down, 

Which, ripening in the mellow sun, 

Fulfilled fruition Spring begun ; 

All bounteous nature's wise employ 

Now gladdening every sense with joy ; 

While in the twilight of the year 

The full earth swells with silent cheer ; 

And o'er the Autumn skies unfold 

Rich, hazy mists of yellow gold ; 

When woods in many hues are dressed, 

And soft contentment fills the breasts 

Of feathered songsters in the grove, 

And human hearts that sigh with love. 

Just at the close of Autumn day. 
Mid dusky shadows dim and gray. 
As Autumn moon brim full of gold 
Rose laughing o'er the hill tops bold; 



LOVE\S WANDERINGS. 291 



Before a mansion bright with hghts 

A carriage stops, a man ahghts. 

And Truman Gray is at the door 

Of Hugh McVeigh, and on the floor 

Two friends of old have grasped the hand, 

And pausing, gaze, and gazing stand. 

The parlors, all aglow with light. 

Are gay with wealth and fashion bright, 

And women fair, in rich attire, 

And men that gaze, and oft admire, 

In bright confusion come and go 

As like a glittering stream they flow ; 

For wealth had come with jeweled hand 

To give a welcome proud and grand 

Where Truman, at his journey's end. 

Had grasped the hand of truest friend. 

But ere he to the parlors passed 

He said, " so m.any years have cast 

Their shadows o'er the life that's past 

Since I have grasped that hand so true, 

And gazed into those eyes of blue ; 

I must gaze on that form again. 

And kiss from cheeks the last tear stain." 

Then to a quiet parlor, they 

Did quickly wend their anxious way. 

Where soon, in radiant beauty rare. 

Came Ethel Vane, all smiling fair. 



292 EDEN DELL, OR 

Maturity had touched the lines 
In face and form, that oft refines, 
Like fruit that's felt the summer sun 
Till luscious ripeness hath begun. 

Nor brush can paint, nor chisel trace 
The mould of form or hues of face. 
The brow of white or breast of snow, 
The cheeks that smile or eyes that glow 
The beam of soul, the swell of breast. 
The tint of lips that love hath pressed, 
The glossy gleam of soft brown hair, 
The queenly mould of shoulders fair, 
The plump, soft hands of ivory pale. 
Fair as twin liUies of the vale. 
With dimples laughing on the cheek 
Where Cupid plays his hide and seek. 
The dainty foot, the fairy tread. 
The regal toss of shapely head. 

A Juno, fair, with queenly air. 
A Hebe in form, Diana fair, 
A Venus smiling rich, with joy, 
A Helen ere she wept a Troy, 
Beatrice Cenci's charming grace, 
With smile of heaven upon her face. 
A nymph, a goddess who had fed 
On nectar sweets, ambrosia bread 



LOVE'S WAXDEIilXGS. 293 

Had ne'er been crowned by gods a queen 
More tair. More fair was never seen. 

Oh ! loveliness and beauty fair ! 

If loveliness and beauty rare 

Is found beneath the vault of blue, • 

Beneath the stars of golden hue, 

Beneath the dazzling orb of day. 

Or pallid white moon's silvery ray, 

Upon the earth of checkered green, 

Or in the ships that sail between, 

Or in the isles of sunny seas, 

'Mid summer climes and balmy breeze ; 

That loveliness so fair, and pure. 

That doth man's heart beguile and lure — 

Above all objects, old or new, 

Is woman — noble, lovely, true. 

In all the edens here below — 

If earth again can eden know — 

The brightest charm and sweetest bliss 

Of heaven on earth, is found in this : 

To clasp to manly breast that's true 

A loving breast that's warm and pure, 

Gaze in soft eyes of heavenly blue 

And kiss from lips the honey due. 

Be circled in the ivory pale 

Of dimpled arms, where joy can sail. 



294 EDEN DELL, OR 

Ah, Comte ! Well thy followers knew 
To whom of earth was worship due, 
While reasoning out of earth and air 
All spirits and all angels fair, 
The Bible, and the thought of God — 
Thee as the lovliest on earth's sod 
They met, agreed to meet each week 
To worship, and thy praises speak. 

And France with all her polished art 

More famed for culture, than for heart, 

Abolished by one wild decree 

The sacred Book and Deity. 

Yet, knowing man would love, adore, 

Placed woman where God stood before. 

Thsy )met, one bands with loving grace, 
And one lifts up a smiling face 
And soft soul-beaming eyes, as one 
Would lift her soul up to the sun. 
They press the hand and touch the lip 
For love is sweet and love will sip 
And taste the nectar and the wine, 
Or droop in sadness and repine. 
For thus it has, since Adam tried 
Forbidden fruit, and round him tied 
The fig-leaf apron. Art began 
To throw around the fallen man 



LOVE'S WANDERIXGS. 295 

A mantle that might nature hide, 
Though nature knows she is belied." 

" My love," he said, " The years gone by 
Have stole no luster from thine eye, 
And time but adds a softer grace 
To lines of beauty on thy face. 
The tinge of sadness-on thy brow 
Hath caught angelic brightness now. 
And in those orbs of love that roll 
I catch sweet glimpses of the soul. 
And syren song could ne'er beguile 
A wanderer like thy gladsome smile. 
Since here I've held thee to my breast 
My heart hath lost its long unrest. 
One moments bliss hath swept away 
The pain of many a stormy day. 
Since 1 am thus so fondly blest 
What love, is now thy dear behest ? 
Dost wish to dwell upon a throne 
Or tread all paths that fame hath known, 
Or wander where soft sunlight falls 
On verdant bowers and palace walls ? 

"Or," ''Hush : hush !" she said; •' You should not 

tease, 
I'd ask a richer boon than these — 
That sweeter, brighter charm doth bring 
Than gilded trappings of a king — 



296 EDEN DELL, OR 

Than sceptered empire e'er unfurled 
Or conquest of a cbangling world. 

Two hearts beside a cheerful hearth, 

And I the best beloved of earth ; 

The best beloved the sun hath seen, 

Or treads the earth of living green, 

And, in the future paths unknown. 

No more to walk life's ways alone, 

One at my side my path to cheer, 

And smile away each gloomy fear; 

To feel one heart, all, all my own, 

Ah ! this were better than a throne. 

The flag of conquest then I'd furl. 

One heart should be my sceptered world." 

"A woman's wish, but granted ere 

Thy words had fallen on my ear ; 

Thou art my empress, unto thee 

My soul hath wed its fealty ; 

My heart shall own thy regal sway, 

And deem it perfect as the day. 

And guard thee in its sheen of light, 

From heat of noon and gloom of night, 

Thy guardian spirit shall it be. 

And guard thee as the cliffs the sea, 

I'll crown thy brow with Love's pure kiss, 

And print thy lips with gems like this." 



LOVE'S WA^WERINCrS. 297 

O ! very sweet, indeed, to some. 

Does love with its beguilings come, 

When those who've wandered far and wide 

May sit together side by side, 

'Neath fairest bowers of earthly bliss, 

To dream the lover's dream of bliss; 

But sacred is true lovers' joy. 

Nor eye should view, nor pen should toy, 

To gaze too free is to destroy. 

When two swift, fleeting hours had passed. 
They rose and to bright parlors passed, 
And ere that joyous eve was o'er, 
Three stood upon the " tufted floor," 
The man of God, and those bright two — 
One strong, one fair, both tried and true. 
And there they pledged their changeless truth, 
Through time, till death, thit nothing ruth 
Should ever change or blast its truth ; 
And when the proud "I do" was said, 
The man of God bowed low his head. 
And lifted u\) his voice in prayer. 
That blessings rich fall on that pair. 

So w^e will lift in prayer the soul 
That highest heaven may be goal, 
That rares^t joys may shower down. 
As rich as gems in sceptered crown. 



EDEN DELL, OR 

That they may journey, hand in hand, 
Until they reach the heavenly land, 
And on eternal hills afar. 
Glow with soft love, as glows a star ; 
Feed on its beams — heaven's rayless light- 
And talk of clouds that dimmed the night 
Of earthly love; and walk up higher 
And warm their souls by heaven's fire — 
Unsullied fire of truth and love — 
God's soul, that smiles in heaven above. 

O I happy hours of wedded bliss ! 
O ! Eden joys in earth like this I 
O, heaven — if heaven's beneath the sun — 
'Tis Eden home — there is but one.^' 
And they did make love's honeymoon 
Last through all life — then end too soon. 
And Truman bought, wherein to dwell, 
The loved old home — fair Eden Dell ; 
And built again the mansion fine. 
With porticoes enwreathed with vine. 
'Mid joyous scenes and rosy hours, 
They walked amid its lovely bowers. 

The nearest thing to heaven's dome. 
Earth's brightest spot, a lovely home, 



* The great statesman, Edmund Burke, bore this testimony to domestic 
felicity. He said : "So sweet were the enjoyments of domestic life to him, 
that every care vanished the moment he entered beneath his own roof." 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 

Where from the world and its unrest, 
The mind at ease, the heart at rest, 
Folds wings of love o'er peaceful breast. 
And they that often entered there, 
Breathed for its peace an earnest prayer, 
That all might love so true and well. 
All homes be like fair Eden Dell. 

For love that stayed, had entered there, 
Made it its home and atmosphere ; 
Not such a place as many share— 
A place to growl and frown with care ; 
Nor such as beasts go when they need 
To eat— Ue down— rise up and feed; 
Nor such as tyrants go— to sway 
Despotic power— the Caesar play— 
O'er gentler natures sternly rule — 
At home, a lord— abroad, a fool. 
Nor where the gentler natures rise 
With taunting lip and flashing eyes, 
Out-babbling Babel with one tongue, 
Till crinoline the scepters swung. 
And to the last, as first, unfurled. 
Drives man from Eden to the world. 

O, erring man! where'er ye roam, 
Turn oft and fondly to thy home; 
O, make it what God meant it here- 
Life' s sweetest boon, love's holy sphere. 



299 



300 EDEN DELL, OR 

At morn, at eve, with loving grace. 
Enfold thy loved with glad embrace ; 
O, kiss away each anxious thought 
Of thy fair wife's, and vow that naught 
Shall make thee cruel, harsh, unkind. 
Enthrone her in thy heart and mind 
As God's best angel lent thee here 
To bless thy life with loving cheer. 

Man seeks distinction, fame and gain, 
And glories in ambition's pain. 
And toil for wealth his life employs — 
These please him like his childhood toys. 
His pleasure is more gold, more land, • 
And love is second in command. 
But woman's sphere is less to shine ; 
Home IS her temple and her shrine. 
Her heart can neither soar nor sing 
Unless love shield it with his wing. 
Affection 's with her nature blent. 
Her only starry firmament; 
Where, roofed within its heavenly span, 
Man is her idol. Faithless man ! 

In after years, glad Truman learned 
Earl Darring wealth and honor earned. 
And to his yearning breast did fold 
A love, more true than one of old. 



LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 301 

Juanita, tossed from mountain side, 
Had still survived and was his bride. 
Both, weaned from first love, did entwine 
As stately oak and graceful vine, 
That tossing storms and tempests thrill 
But made to cling the closer still. 
The boy of ten, O, where and when 
Stood forth among brave, stalwart men 
An Indian hunter such as he 
From eastern to the w^estern sea ? 
He kept with vengeful steel, and brave. 
The vow made on his father's grave. 

Beaumont, he wed a wealthy shrew, 

Who ran him and their fortunes through ; 

Till, all unloved, poor and unblest. 

He came and went at her behest, 

Till joys of life to him were fled 

And all its blighted hopes were dead, 

Its bhss and sweets to acid turned, 

Its w^orthless fires to ashes burned. 

He sought the bowl — and naught could check — 

He wanders now — a hopeless wreck. 

While Truman claimed, with worthy pride, 

That all true lovers, far and wide, 

Should earn their gold and win their bride. 

And noblest bliss he found in store 

For those who, when, love's wanderings o'er. 



802 EDEN DELL, OR LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 

Proved faithful, and this fact was known — 
Each loved each for themselves alone, 
And mutual love and faith did share, 
That time nor wanderings could impair. 

When vesper stars their silver tents 

Pitch on the plains of spangled blue. 
And from the starry battlements 

Falls music like the crystal dew. 
Two lovers stroll and fondly gaze 

Up to the heavens, as on the day 
They caught the pure, celestial blaze, 

Though " silver threads" are 'mong the gray. 

The world is old, and hearts are cold, 

And traffic's ships are on the sea, 
And men are bold for love and gold. 

And some are false as false can be. 
The life they gain 's a stormy main, 

A sobbing, bleak and dreary day. 
Let love remain to sweeten pain — 

'Tis bright as heaven's starry way. 



WAYWARD FANCIES. 



Mark well, who zued should give the hand 
With undivided heart, and stand. 
In single purpose, trtte to one ; 
Or else the loving souVs undone 

In bitterness and agony. 
And like the curse that blights the land. 
The heart'' s at variance with the hand. 
A house divided can not stand. 

True love should kno7v no jealousy. 

Mark more, brave souls 7vith scorn of pain. 
With life'^s devotion, oft in vain 
Have sought with generous faith and true, 
Like loyal knights, return ivell due 

Affections peerless dowry. 
Yet sought in vain, and found too late. 
It was not there to zvin, and Fate 
Had linked them to a faithless ?nate. 

They thought the flower of chivalry. 



TWO STRANGER GUESTS. 

" The siucctcstjoy, the wildest woe is love. 

The taint of eaiih, the odor of the skies is in it^ 

'• Young man you say that love is best, 

And yet you cannot reason why ; 
It works dark deeds, and broods unrest, 
And makes the yearning bosom sigh?" 
Thus spoke a dark-eyed stern old man. 
And stroked his beard of silver gray ; 
And watched the stars drift now and then, 

From out the twilight of the day ; 
As at the magic touch divine, 
They formed their cohorts into line. 

And marched upon their nightly way. 
'Twas where three sat twixt gloom and light 
Beside a camp fire blazing bright ; 
It chanced as conversation's stream 
Rolled on, that love became their theme. 

"You say that love will reason not, 
And yet it has a power supreme. 

Beyond where reason is forgot. 
And tvrant passion is supreme. 



306 WA Y WARD FANCIES. 

And yet you can not reason why 
The God who does the things he would, 

And wisdom questions not his will, 
Should make the noblest means of good, 

The very instruments of ill ? 
And man should never love you say, 

Behold this scar above my eye, 
'Tas wrought upon an evil day. 

Its story is my best reply. 

" I loved a maiden years ago, 

Back in the sunny days of youth ; 

It was a grand, an awful truth, 
And yet I never told her so. 
Suffice it that we had a quarrel. 

Suffice it that we said good by ; 
Suffice it that we parted then. 

For she was proud and so was I. 
I married one that well I knew, 
Was paragon of all that's true. 

" She wedded, and we seldom met, 

Some how she thrilled me with her eyes; 

I wondered if I loved her yet. 

And then the thought I would despise. 
' Well what of that, felt she the same?' 

I had all love I could have asked. 
And yet it was a something tame; 



WAYWARD FAXCIES. 30/ 

Beside the love that o'er me flashed, 

I could not help, was I to blame ? 
When she was near all things were fair, 

I felt new joy swell through my veins; 
When she was gone I lacked for air, 

And wandered in my restless pains. 

" I'd tasted of the better wine, 

I could not quench my thirst with dew, 

I longed to pluck this nectared vine 

And warm my being through and through; 

Yet still I trod the narrow way, 

And said to Satan day by day : 

' Get thou behind me — go thy way.' 

" It chanced upon a Summer night 

I strolled beneath a cooling grove; 
The moon shone wondrous fair and bright, 

My heart was restless, and would rove. 
When 10 ! I heard a gentle sob 

Near by within a moonlit bower ; 
It made each pulse of being throb, 

'Twas s/ie, heaven bless the joyous hour. 
We met ; it was a glorious pain 

That bid new tides of feeling roll; 
She wept a husband's cold disdain, 

I was a hungry, famished soul. 
I took her hand, some words of love 



308 WAYWARD FANCIES. 

Flowed low and softly in my speech ; 
She blushed, and fluttered like a dove, 

Until our hearts throbbed each to each 
And nestled there in sweeter speech. 

" ' Dora,' I said, 'the years go by, 
We are not loved as we could love ; 

There's sadness in thy noble eye. 
Think'st thou there is a God above ? 

What matter that we've vowed a vow, 
And others wear the marriage ring ; 

What matter, love, is monarch now, 
And joy smiles 'neath his rosy wing. 

Could God forbid that we should drink 
When pleasure's fountain is in reach. 

Could he forbid that love should link 
Her dreams in deeper joy than speech ? 

Look down into thy secret soul, 
Were we not famished until now? 

Then let us drink our being full, 
Love's altar is the place to bow. 

*' ' Would'st thou deny, yet tempt the thirst 
When streams of bliss are flowing nigh ? 
I'd drink, let stoics be accursed, 

If it were death, I'd love to die. 
This once, in all the lonely years, 
Let our glad hearts pursue their ease, 
Affection taste the streams that please; 



WAYWARD FANCIES. 309 

Drink deep the Samian wine that cheers, 
Our souls upon love's nectar feast, 
With bUss the boon, and God the priest; 
And sailing past all doubtful seas 
Wave nature's banner to the breeze — 
Love's stronger than man's frail decrees.' 

"The moon looked through the silent night 

And smiled so sweetly down : 
The golden hours their velvet flight 

Stole o'er the starry crown. 
We trod the stars beneath our feet. 

We shamed the bashful moon, 
We made the sky our bridal sheet. 

And called the midnight noon. 

" The dalliance of that rosy hour 

Was sweetest of life's fleeting dream — 
Our souls met in love's magic bower 

And mingled in one stream. 
We drank at that perennial spring 

God made in Paradise 
To soothe the wily serpent's sting 

Where knowledge should suffice. 

" We plucked the very bread of heaven 

From off the table of the gods ; 
We entered where another Eden 

Blushed through the bloom of rosy sods. 



310 WA YWAKD FANCIES. 

We slaked our thirst and warmed the soul 
And felt new tides of being roll. 

''The streams from which we'd drank before 
Had not such power to tempt our thirst ; 
We wished to taste and taste it o'er 
And sail this sea from shore to shore 
And drink and die and be no more, 
Let heaven decree the worst. 

"The golden hours flew swift and fleet — 

We took no note of honeyed time — 
Earth's fair elysian was to sweet; 
What starving soul would fear to eat, 

Or question if it were a crime? 
O ! I could feast forever there 

Upon her beauty as a star 
And dream there was no heaven so fair. 

And fear no rude alarms of war. 

" But what a waking from a dream ! 
I heard my loving Dora scream; 

I saw a bright uplifted sword. 
And through its sudden flash and gleam 

I knew her angry lord. 
I saw the stars — behold the scar ! 
It was a thrust of more than war, 

And brought a rude alarm. 



WAYWARD FANCIES. 311 

But mine was more than leopard's leap ; 
Roused by a sudden blow from sleep, 

I wrought him more than harm. 
I caught him with a tiger's clasp, 
I wrung the weapon from his grasp 

And sheathed it to the hilt. 
I had no time to think or feel, 
My head rang with the clang of steel, 
I could not pause for ill or weal, 

To her who stood where blood was spilt. 

" I fled. Old time has swiftly rolled 

His checkered wheels of gloom and gold, 

And tamed the blood that once was bold, 

And yet I cannot reason all. 

The why such evil did befall. 

But this I know, make me as then, 

I'd dare all danger, grief or pain. 

To live that hour o'er again. 

My soul at danger seemed to laugh, 

I feared not man nor gods of old, 
I longed this nectared cup to quaff, 

Let it be poison to the soul. 

" 1 did not care to think, for then 
1 would have slaked my burning thirst. 
Though God wrote at the fountain head, 
' Beware ! it is accursed, accursed. ' 
You might as well have sternly told 

21 



312 WAYWARD FANCIES. 

A wounded, thirsty, dying man 

To pause and not to slake his thirst, 

Because another owned the spring — 
Because another drank there first, 

As to have quoted in my pain, 

'Forbidden fruit I refrain, refrain.' 

" The story's old. Ah I that is all, 

And nature put it in my mood ; 
An apple caused two saints to fall — 

The soul will seek the sweetest food. 
The fruit was golden ripe and fair, 

So sweet to taste 'twould pay to die. 
Thou2;h sou2;ht it was not found elsewhere, 

Can nature, tell the reason why, 
For Nature, father of our will. 

Is Love's true impulse and its fire; 
'Tis Reason that discards the ill. 

And lifts sweet Passion from the mire. 
They say there is a heaven above, 

Where tempted not all doeth well. 
Here God meant we should live and love- 

We ' love not wisely, but too well.' " 

He ceased, and silence brooded then 
Awhile o'er camp-fire and o'er glen ; 
The musing youth did not reply, 
He deemed the case was stated fair. 



WA YWA RD FANCIES. . 313 

He would not banter words, or pry 

Into a grief that had no prayer. 
Another, wrapt in sable cloak, 

Drew down his brow with cynic smile, 
Essayed to speak, then seemed to choke, 

Then eyed the burning coals awhile. 
Then rose erect, with haughty form, 

And gazed into the ether blue, 
And shook himself, as in a storm, 

And beat his foot in wild tatoo. 
And peering at the arch on high. 
Said, "love was never born to die. 
But curse us young, and curse us old, 
And bind us in the serpent's fold. 
And give us guile to be more bold. 
And cheat us with its lie. 

" I once was young, and good and true, 
And walked the paths of virture pure, 

A proud young English nobleman. 
Well, when I loved, my nature changed; 
The one I loved was cold, estranged. 

And loved another nobleman. 
There's nothing strange in that, I'm sure, 
And yet it Vv'as the devil's lure 

And urged me on to shame. 
I sought to slay him from the day 
I knew where her affections lay, 



314 WAYWARD FANCIES. 

And spread a slander on his name. 
He was as brave as drew the sword, 
And then 1 sought and got him word 
That 'twas another who had said 
The thus and so that he had heard — 

A proud young plebian youth, 
Whom next she loved for his true worth, 
And who adored her on the earth 

Within his noble heart of truth. 

" I urged the breach, they met and fought. 

And parried bloody steel with steel; 

At length the nobleman did reel 
A deadly thrust he caught; 
It pierced him where he buckled belt, 
And in his dying blood he knelt — 
This was the curse I wrought. 

I waited for her grief to fade, 
Then offered her my hand; 

I might as well have sought to stayed 
The tide upon the strand 

As to have checked her bitter scorn ; 
She seemed to read my guilty face 

And brand me as ignoble born, 
A fraud, a foul disgrace. 

'' This stung me to the very quick, 
I'd have her now in spite of all. 



WAYWARD FANCIES. 315 

Some daring knaves I hired then 
To seize her in a lonely glen. 

I was to be a hero brave, 
And rescue from their power ; 

Her plebian lover chanced to save 
And shield her in that hour ; 
I dared not meet his flashing sword, 
But rallying then my hired horde 

We pressed him to the wall. 
At length his sword fell from his hand 
And then o'er powered by our band, 

We caused the hero's fall. 

" His gory breast met many shocks, 

But in the, silent glen 
We piled some lonely scattered rocks 
Above the heart that feared no shocks — 

The bravest of brave men. 

*' Now^ she was mine I'd have my will 
And wreak my vengeance to its fill. 
But she w^as brave, my valiant heart 

Did almost quail before her breath, 
She was supreme in virtues part 

And even courted death. 
Virtue is strong. Could you behold 

Her lifted hand and flashing eyes, 
You'd said the very gods were bold 

To think to claim her for a prize. 



316 WA YWARD FANCIES. 

" She dared me with a fearless brow 

In presence of the God of gods, 
To bow the soul that would not bow 

Against a thousand odds, 
She scorned me with a haughty scorn ; 

She scoffed me with a coward's name 
And bid me slay her ere the morn 

Should look upon her shame. 
Great God ! She so defied me still, 

Though I adored her charms, 
That in the frenzy of my will 

I slew her in my arms." 

He paused, and twirled his dark mustache, 
And pulled his cloak 'round like a sash, 
And bowed his head, and seemed to choke 
And then again the silence broke. 
" I fled, and on x\ustralia's land 
I was a wrecker on the strand. 
Thus love hath wrought me worse and worse, 
And cursed me with a double curse." 

Then ^poke the youth with ardent mien 
And stirred the coals that glowed between : 
' ' Say not that love hath thus accursed 
Thou was't a felon from the tirst. 
And what if thou hadst loved and lost, 
Think' St thou that guile could pay the cost ? 



WAYWARD FANCIES. 317 

Think'st thou that crime will ease thy pain, 

And evil is the better way ? 
Think'st thou we ne'er shall live ngain 

And love our loves some other day ? 
Think'st thou the bard that loved and sung 

Along the winding banks of Ayr 
Will praise no more with silvery tongue 

The one he loved so fondly there ? 
Or he who roamed the sea and shore 

And in his deeds and song was bold, 
Think'st thou that he will dream no more 

Of her who charmed him to the soul ? 

" I've scanned the steady flights of time, 
Where truth is strong, and hope can soar 

In presence of the sun sublime, 

Where nature spreads her boundless shore. 

God's justice points the wheels of time. 

"Heaven is, and deathless spirits soar 
To where there is a fadeless clime — 

Where suns that rise shall set no more — 
Where is a balm for every pain, 

And they that loved shall love again. 
There, in the pure and brighter blaze, 

Where far off constellations shine. 
They'll walk again love's flowery ways, 

And broken ties will re-entwine. 



'^>38 WAYWARD FANCIES. 

" But coward felons such as those, 

Before a darker fate shall bow. 
Heaven's wrath shall blast such dastards bold 

Who'd dare to mar God's purest gold. 
Ye Gods ! Shall Heaven's sweetest charm, 

Earth's highest type of truth and grace — 
That leans upon man's stronger arm — 

By force or fraud find dark disgrace ? 
Use force on woman ? Lift the might 

Of strength to batter down her right 
To virtue and an angel's place ? 

" A pyramid of curses, high 
As Heaven, shall crush him till he die ; 
Like Ixion, hurled to Pluto's shade, 
For lawless love where Juno swayed ; 
He'll welter on tormenting sods, 
Through the long aeon of the Ciods. 
Thou art a coward by thy word — 
Thou feard'st to meet thy rival's sword, 
But dared to do the deed confessed, 
" And pierce a helpless woman's breast. 

Ye thought to rest here for the night, 
Beside my camp-fire blazing bright : 
But now thy feet thou canst not rest 
Beneath the tent where mine hath pressed. 
I doubt not but thou hast a band 
Of robbers in this verv land I" 



WAYWARD FANCIES. 319 

Then quick they raised their hands in strife, 
And said, '* Thy money or thy life !" 
And reached to where their weapons lay — 
He stopped them ere they reached half-way. 
With pistols pointed to their teeth, 
He backed them to the wooded heath. 
They disappeared within the grove. 
He picked, with cautious steps, his way, 
And feared the men who sinned for love, 
More than the beasts that roamed for prey. 




320 WAYWARD FANCIES. 



A LEGEND OF THE DELUGE. >^^ 

'Mid the isles of the sea, the far Southern Sea, 
The sundown of waters whose fair witchery 
Blends the flush of the sky with the blue of the sea, 
And the heart is as mellow as dates on the tree, 

Where they sit 'neath the palm, and the soul is as calm 
As their streams that flow soft as the lute to the Psalm, 
And love is as sweet as rich incense and balm. 
Or the roses that bloom in the vales of Siam, 

There a continent smiled, and the sunshine beguiled 

The Eden of earth when she first was a child ; 

But the Deluge was near, when the waters were piled 

O'er that Eden now doomed while she dreamt, while she smiled, 

On a mountain side bright as' the snow on its hight 
A hermit dwelt, lone in deep solitude's sight. 
In a vale far away spread the gold of sunlight 
Where a maiden dwelt, fair as an angel of light. 



■■'■ This legend is supijosed to be told by a Montezuma Indian chief, in 
which he relates how Montezuma came to earth and brought down the sacred 
fire ; also, how there came to be a man in the moon. Be>^ides, it is intended 
to illustrate love— that grandest theme that has occupied the thought of deity 
or man since "God broke the silence of the dead eternities," and ushered 
into existence the wonderful creations of his Universe. The stories of this 
volume are intended to illustrate Love— its follies and inconsistencies,'as well 
as its grandeur and beauty. 



WAYWARD FANCIES. 321 

And the paradise bird paused here in her flight, 
And the bul-bul sung in the soft twihght, 
And the dodo chattered the morn away, 
And Ufe passed on hke a summer day. 

She loved the lone hermit, but he years before 
Had loved a decei'-er, and brought to his door 
The wreck of a heart and the dream that was o'er ; 
He had wooed a deceiver, he'd woo never more. 

And the hermit was shy, but the maiden's soft eye 
Beamed softly upon him as oft he passed by 
From the spring in the vale and cocoa-tree nigh. 
Where he sought his provisions and found a supply. 

When her love was the strongest she wended her way 
To the hut of the hermit at noon of one day, 
And the sun was enamored and kissed with his ray 
The bloom on her cheek as she passed on her way. 

And she said to the hermit : " Come with me 1 pray 
PVom this lone hut — this doomed earth — come with me to-day. 
Father Noah hath filled the old Ark where she lay, 
And the beasts, two and two, entered in there to-day. 

" I have come as a dove on this mission of love; 

The beasts choose a mate, why not I choose my love? 

The preacher of righteousness preacheth his last. 

And the floods shall descend with the clouds and the blast." 



322 WA YWAEB FANCIES. 

" Be cursed in thy folly thou simple — thou child ! 
The heavens are smiling — thy judgment is wild." 
His words were too rude for the maiden so mild ; 
One moment she trembled, one moment she smiled. 

Then she turned in dismay and she fell in despair 
From the hight where she stood through the soft yielding air, 
Down the side of the mountain the warm sun hung, where 
He caught the sweet maiden with long golden hair. 

She was gone. Like a star that is sweet to the eye, 
Her worth was unknown till she passed from his sky. 
He peered down the void, he covered his face — 
He shuddered — remorse was as gall to his taste. 

But the wise sun was loving and took to his arms 
The fairest of maids and the sweetest of charms. 
On his bosom she lay and at sunset of day 
She spread her gold tresses o'er mountain-tops gray. 

Her love was too pure and her heart was too warm 
For the chill blasts of earth and the shock of its storm. 
There she reigns as a queen, for the times they were then, 
When the sons of God sought the fair daughters of men. 

And the sun was so warm and the maiden so fair, 
So enamored his love and so ardent his prayer, 
Montezuma the great was their son and their heir, 
And at sunset slid down by her long golden hair. 



WAYWARD FANCIES. 328 

And brought from that heaven the bright sacred firt 
That flames on the altar — earth's great purifier, 
And the joy of the world is the love that hath stayed — 
As warm as the sun and as pure as the maid. 

>ic ^ ;K ii« ^ * 

Now the stars are awake and a boat skims the lake, 
And far muttering thunders the silence doth break. 
No breeze stirs a ripple or sighs through the trees, 
But sadness broods heavy and moans like the the seas. 

And the hermit stepped quickly but sad to the shore, 
Where a woman sat weeping with sorrows that pour 
On the heart of a woman that but one can adore, 
And that one has forsaken, and loves her no more. 

Love beamed from his eye and poured from his voice : 
" Come, dearest, come weep not, but cause to rejoice 
The heart, O, so weary 1 that sighs for its choice — 
The solitude dreary hath spoke but thy voice. 

•' And the lone years far from thee, like stars in the night. 
Held thee warm in my bosom though unseen by my sight. 
But a maiden, last noon, as fair as the morn, 
Said, ' Come ! Earth is drowning," I answered with scorn. 

'' But the faith of that maiden, my own faith imbued — 
Thou art lone and forsaken — my love is renewed. 
Weil, I passed the old ark as I came on my way, 
She's been building for ages — she's finished to-day. 



324 WAYWARD FANCIES. 

" There the rabble had brought the old gods from their fime. 
While they scoffed the good prophet with tauntings profane. 
They had made a bonfire — one snatched a brand out, 
Said, ' Come, burn the old temple and hustle them out.' 

" When from out a clear sky thunders muttered a curse, 
Heaven flashed sudden fire, and threatened far worse; 
At that sign from his hand I snatched the red brand, 
Hurled it up, — 'twas a cloud that o'er shadowed the land. 



*'Then come to my ark. or my mountain retreat." 
But she answered him low with voice sad and sweet ; 
*' He for whom I left you proved untrue, and has fled. 
I've blessed him that hath cursed, scorned the true heart that 
bled." 

Now the thunders roared dreadful, and deafning their crash, 
The lightnings gleam woeful, and lurid their flash ; 
The earth sinks beneath, the waters heave up, 
Heaven pours her dark flood like wine from a cup. 

And that continent smiling far in the South sea, 
Faded 'neath the drear waters in dark misery ; 
The ocean above and beneath lost their shore, 
And she sank 'neath their bosom to rise never more. 

The people fled wildly, but fate's stern decree, 

Like hosts of proud Pharaoh whelmed them in the dark sea. 

On the tO}) of a mountain two struggled alone, 

The last of earth's surface — love's last hopeless throne. 



WAYWARD FAXCIES. 325 

'Mong the people who sought on the day of their doom, 
To cHmb the tall mountains through torrents and gloom; 
They scaled it together and ho|)ed through love's prayer, 
To o'er come the dark waters, and con(|uer despair. 

But at length o'er the place surged tlie dark watery waste, 
When graspmg the girdle that circled her waist, 
He reared her above the dark waters awhile, 
O'er earth the i)roud victor, heroic his smile. 

Then his soul rose to front the stern judgment of heaven, 
Through clench'd lips he muttered " Tve long been storm 

driven 
On a dark raging sea. Rage, rage on and smite me. 
But Jehovah take her to yon heaven with thee. 

" Pour on me thy dark curses, this heart shall ne'er shun. 
The fate that's before, till its purpose is won ; 
Love is stronger than death, it can out last the breath, 
'Tis the ark that shall glide o'er eternity's path." 

Then he lifted her higher by the lightning's red fire. 
She saw a pale drowned face floating nigher an-d nigher ; 
'Twas the one who had cursed her with sorrow and woe. 
She sprang fondly toward it, and* vaiyshed below. 

He stood all alone. The pale moon and proud, 
Unvailed the dark waters and peered through a cloud ; 
The moon was enamored with his courage so true. 
She honored his love and she sought for it too. 



326 WAYWARD FANCIES. 

She caught him up to her, and in her embrace, 

He smiles at his folly and laughs in earth's face ; 

He that cut down the thorn* tree one calm Sabbath noon, 

Is a far different man from the man in the moon. 

And he dwells in that heaven, the pale orb of night, 
And he smiles on the earth with a calm, sad delight ; 
And so melting his glances, so beaming his eye, 
The soul of all lovers he fills with a shigh. 

For the souls that are lofty are noblest and kind. 
And the humblest may love with a love that's divine ; 
And if God hath a heaven in the moon, stars or sun, 
Love only can win it, if it ever is won. 




Footprints and Shadows, 



22 



Ah Dh'ii and svrs I yc can not tell 
The tvealtJi of 7voinan'' s hwc. 
The eagle knows his aerie 7c>e/l, 
Nor droops his wings but mounts above. 

And o'er it broods with anxious care ; 
So womajt does lovers mantle fling. 
With softness of the doves that pair. 
And tireless as the eagles iving. 



All souls are parcels of one spark divine. 

And are as one zvhen bowing at truth\^ shrine. 

All thought, all greatness, since the ages roll, 

Is but the upward step, the onward march of soul. 

As boys cross stony brooks, froju trutli to truth afar, 

Our souls may to perfection step froui star to star. 

Dread not decay of age or w?-ecks of time — 
All hopes, all so^-roics shall be thine. 
Be strong and fearless of all fears : 
Think of the bright and countless spheres 
Thy soul shall tread, beyond these cycling years. 



WOMAN. 

As fragrant flower its sweetness sheds 

Kind woman soothes man's pain and care. 

And o'er his darkest pathway spreads 
The sunshine of her smiles so fair. 

Methinks, o'er all the realms of space. 
Creative hand ne'er meant to trace 

A nobler form, or fairer face. 

With brighter charm, or sweeter grace, 

Than woman, who was sent to cheer 
Man in his lonely, hapless fate, 

With kindness, and affection's tear, 
And lead him to a higher state. 

Her charming face and trusting heart 
Wakes in his breast heroic flame ; 

For her he toils by strength and art. 
To carve his way to wealth and fame. 

He tills the soil, and sails the fleet. 
Subdues the earth, explores its wilds. 

To lay his treasures at her feet. 

For her approving love and smiles. 



330 FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 

In every land where women stand, 
In loving beauty by man's side, 

His rudeness turns to manners bland, 
And truth and honor is his pride. 

First at the cradle and the grave, 

With swelling heart and anxious breath, 

She ope's the eyes of great and brave. 
And shuts them in the glare of death. 

Then tyrant man, that scoffs at fear, 

At your own hearth, or where ye roam, 

Strive with true love to bless and cheer 
This angel of our earthly home. 




FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 331 



TO VIRGINIA— REMEMBRANCE. 

Like dew gems of morning that sparkle so bright, 
Like moonbeams adorning the glory of night, 
Like visions of beauty, Uke stars in the main, 
Thy image, my fairest, haunts bosom and brain. 

Like roses of summer when fairest they bloom, 
Like streamlets that murmur 'long banks of perfume, 
Like sweet music 'waking, o'er isles in the sea. 
Is memory's glance taking bright glimpses of thee. 

The hopes that allure me to bliss in the skies. 
The promptings that bid me be great and be wise, 
Are not in their beauty more pure and more true 
Than my heart's fond devotion, my fairest, for you. 

Were this world ever bright and fair as it seems, 
Were our joys and delight as we paint in our dreams, 
They could add no more bliss, as I journeyed along. 
Than thy smile and thy presence, thou theme of my song. 



332 FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 



TO ETTIE, THE ROSEBUD OF THE HILLSIDE. 

I know where lives a pretty maid 

Upon a sunny hillside, 
Where summer flowers latest fade, 

And soft zephyrs gently glide. 
She is as fair as any flower, 

As pretty as a lily, 
Bending from a lovely bower. 

Looking down upon a valley ; 
She is in her youthful pride; 

She is young, and gay, and pretty. 

And her name is charming Ettie, 
The rosebud of the hillside. 

And I never saw a maiden 

With a form more lithe and free, 
Nor till in the distant Eden 

Do I e'er expect to see 
A maid more gay and lively. 

With an eye more softly blue, 
And a ringing laugh more lightly, 

Or cheeks of richer hue. 
Than those of our blooming pride, 

The young, the gay, the pretty. 



FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 333 

With the lovely name of Ettie, 
The rosebud of the hillside. 

But thy time is passing, Ettie, 

" Stamp improvement on its wings," 
For the flowers that bloom so pretty 

That the summer gently brings, 
Soon do perish, soon are faded, 

And the fairest forms of earth 
Death's hand, oftimes unaided, 

Blasts amid their bloom and mirth. 
Then, whate'er may thee betide. 

Be thou good, and wise, and pretty. 

Young, light-hearted, "charming Ettie, 
The rosebud of the hillside. 

May thy days be bright and sunny. 

May joys thy heart e'er tune ; 
May thy charms mature as bonny 

As the flowers that bloom in June; 
May thy life be long and useful, 

Growing better with thy years. 
Till thou bloom on hillsides peaceful — 

In that realm where drops no tears. 
Far beyond time's rolling tide, 

Be an angel, pure and pretty. 

Bloom with life immortal, Ettie. 
A rose on Eden's hillside. 



P>34 FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 



ETTIE, THE ROSEBUD, HAS PERISHED. 

Ettie's dead; she has faded 

Like a flower in its bloom — 
Death's cruel hand unaided 

Has laid her in the tomb. 
In her bright and smiling beauty, 

Fair and fragile as a lily, 
With her winning ways so lovely, 

Shedding fragrance o'er the valley. 
She has passed from 'neath the sunlight 

To a narrow chamber lonely, 
Darker than the gloom of midnight. 

Yes, our gay and charming pride. 
With her face so fair and pretty, 
With the lovely name of Ettie, 

Has vanished from the hillside. 

I met her in the summer, 

Not many months ago, 
When the leaves did sigh and murmur, 

And the zephyrs gently blow. 
She asked me, with a sunny smile 

And cheery voice so gay, 



FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 335 

If I would write upon her name 

A pretty little lay. 
Said I, "with pleasure, charming Ettie, 

If you'll allow a kiss for pay 
I will gladly write upon your name so pretty. 

Then she said with charming pride 
' ' If youi- piece is very pretty 
You may get a kiss from Ettie, 

The rosebud of the hillside," 

I never wrote for money, 

I never thought of fame. 
But the glowing smile of beauty, 

Oft stirred poetic flame. 
I've sometimes loved to sing 

Like the wild bird on the bough, 
Just as I felt the swelling song, 

And nature taught me how : 
And as it sings where none can hear 

But the silent, sighing trees, 
I cared not if it touched the ear. 

Or died upon the breeze. 
But I felt with joy and pride 

'Twould be glorious pay, and pretty. 

To obtain a kiss from Ettie, 
The rosebud of the hillside. 

How short is life, how very brief. 
Even when it slowly closes 



336 FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 

In the " sear and yellow leaf; ■' 

But, when fading like the roses, 
How deep and dark the grief. 

But, oh ! sad, indeed, to know, 
. That, like a tender, fragile lily, 

Trying to bud, and bloom, and grow. 
She has drooped from oft" the valley. 

And lies buried 'neath the snow. 
And it's so o'er all the world so wide ; 

No flower more fair and pretty 
Bloomed with sweeter charm than Ettie, 

Yet she faded from the hillside. 

They folded her soft, white hands 

Upon her snow white breast. 
Closed her laughing, bright blue eyes — 

Laid her in her coffin to rest. 
Dead ! Do not speak the word so loud. 

Is the bright blooming blossom dead 
And folded in her shroud ? 

And will any think, when they tread 

In thoughtless gayety over her head, 
That she ever was gay and proud ? 

Alas ! in all this world so wide, 
O'er all the fair and pretty, 
As well as our charming Ettie, 

Death rolls his whelming tide. 



FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 337 

She flashed upon our shadowed path, 
Like a golden gleam of sunlight — 
Like a bright and beauteous star 
Glowing in the fields of midnight. 
But she's passed to the tearless realm, 
Where there's neither night nor gloom — 
Where there's fadeless beauty ever, 
And naught is laid within the tomb ; 
Where the tear-drop never glistens, 
And the flowers ever bloom, 

Far beyond time's rolling tide, 
As an angel pure and pretty, 
Blooms with life immortal, Ettie, 

Now a rose on Eden's hillside. 



-K^iaolC-.—^ 



338 FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 



LAST WORDS OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

" Let us i^o across the river and rest be]ieatJi the shade of the trees y 

Said the good and valiant chieftain, when his battles all were 

o'er, 
And his wounded form was lying near the Rappahannock 

shore. 
When his body racked with anguish, an his soft eye glanced 

around 
At his sad and sorrowing comrades, and the dark and bloody 

ground. 
When his pulse beat low and feeble, and his vision seemed 

to fade, 
'' Let us go across the river and rest beneath the shade." 

O the beauty and the pathos of that sad yet soothing thought, 
Coming at the end of labors, at the close of battles fought ! 
Did it cheer the dying soldier, did it light his weary eye, 
To behold the bow of promise and the river flowing nigh? 
Not the rolling Rappahannock, but death's dark and narrow 

stream, 
And the trees of life beyond it, far beyond life's fitful dream. 



FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 339 

He was a Christian soldier, with a firm, unfaltering trust, 
That the sword he held, and cause espoused, was noble, true 

and just. 
No warrior stern, of antique mold, with fierce eye flashing 

keen, 
His look was mild as woman's, and gentle was his mien; 
Yet, terrible as a thunder-bolt, he rode the battle's crest. 
And carnage strewed the vanquished field where'er his cohorts 

pressed. 

No warrior clad in glittering steel e'er raised an arm of might. 
And struck more quick and stunning blows amid a bloody 

fight : 
No eagle eye more quickly saw the point to make a breach. 
And startled foemen felt his hand ere they thought themselves 

in reach. 
He fought not for fame or love of strife — for war and strife 

he did deplore ; ' 
He struck because he thought he saw invading foemen at his 

door. 

Then cherish his noble memory, though sad his fate to tell. 
For he sleeps beneath his native shade in the land he loved 

so well. 
Though dead, his memory liveth, as chieftain, noble, brave 

and good ; 
What he deemed was right, he upheld in fight, and like soHd 

stone wall stood ; 



340 FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 

But his spirit has crossed beyond the dark and shadowy- 
shore — 

Beyond the sun, in the light of God; he needs the shade 
no more. 

Let us imitate this chieftain, of a hundred battles fought, 
And with firmness, faith and courage, fight our battles as we 

ought ; 
And when pain and death o'ertake us, and life's stream is 

ebbing low. 
And we see the purple twilight, and dark shadows come 

and go. 
Let us trust with hope and joy, as life's visions slowly fade, 
That we only cross the river to rest beneath the shade 







FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 341 



DEATH OF CxEN. JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE. 

" Break, break, break," o'er the purple dawn, O day ! 

Break in gleams of silver and gold, 
For the earth moves on, and the night grows old, 

And scatter the gloom away. 

O well for the sun in the morn, 

That it dreads not the heat of the way. 
O well for the soul in its earthly toil, 

That it dreams of a brighter day. 

For an honored name, and a cherished fame 
Looming bright ere the strength of its noon. 

Scarce touched by the blight of a blemish or blame, 
Lost the bloom of its glory too soon. 

The gifted of mind, the princely of soul. 

Where genius and honor were one. 
Whose fame was enshrined in a nation's heart, 

Hath sank to its setting sun. 

The star that arose on the sheen of the West, 
And glowed on the brow of a day that is past, 

Whose charm was the pride of a million that bless'd, 
Is gone like the dream of a hope that will last. 



342 FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 

And God-given genius, the mystery of mind, 
That sways an electric and unmeasured force, 

The fire of the soul, burning bright and refined, 
Have waned in their once brilliant course. 

In the lives forgotten, and the immortal few, 

Something unfinished remain, 
And genius, and learning, and greatness, and fame, 

Promise that which they ne'er can attain. 

For the laurel will fade, and the brow where it laid, 

And the ear grow dull to its praise, 
And the noblest form He at rest in the shade. 

Unmindful of marble its glory may raise. 

Soar, soar, soar, thou spirit uncaged from clay ! 

Soar to a dome on the golden shore. 
Where suns never set at the close of the day. 

And souls are at home ever more. 

And the spirit heard, and it said to the clay, 

" Go thou to thy chamber of rest !" 
And the brow grew pale and cold where it lay, 

And the heart ceased to beat in the breast. 

And the eye that was bright, lost the glow of its fire, 
The arms lay unnerved on the breast. 

And the tongue that was silvery as songs of the lyre, 
Were stilled in their long dreamless rest. 



FOOTPRIXTS AND SHADOWS. 343 

O sad that the hand that was honored and true, 

And the heart that was noble should fail, 
And sink in the dull nerveless grasp of the earth, 

Till they mingle with clods of the vale. 

O well for the arm when its strong in its grasp. 

And the heart beats bravely and gay. 
That they dread not the chill of that chamber of gloom, 

That lies just before — at the end of the way. 

Soon, soon, soon, did the hero, the statesman we mourn, 

Early in fame, and his silent turn, 
Take up the pale march to the far-off bourn 

Where hands ne'er weary, and hearts never burn. 

Then silent and mournful lay him to rest. 

No boom of cannon to speak of the past. 
No sigh of furled banners above his cold breast, 

No sound, but heart beats where remembrance will last. 

Break, break, break, thou light of an endless morn ! 

Though clouds obscure that we cannot see, 
We know thou wilt break o'er a soul high-born, 

In the realms of eternity. 

Gone, gone, gone, is the light of a noble eye, 

And the grasp of a genial hand ; 
But beyond the night there breaks the light, 

On a soul in the better land. 

23 



344 FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 



CENTENNIAL THANKS. 

Thank heaven! we have a broad domain 
Of blooming vales and fertile plain 
Extending fair from main to main, 

In our blest land of liberty. 
No sceptered king to rule and reign, 
No galling yoke or slavish chain, 
Eut man is free to strive and gain, 

And monarch of his destiny. 

Thank heaven ! we have a glorious past 
Of noble deeds, where strife has cast 
No fatal shadows, doomed to last 

And blast our future glory. 
United by the sacred ties 
Of blood, and common hopes that rise. 
Our future bright with starry skies 

Shall glitter in the minstrel's story. 

Thank heaven ! our land renews its life, 
Our country's free from civil strife 
Peace reigns where passion once was rife, 

In common brotherhood and unity. 
No longer plunging in the fray 
The blue commingle with the gray, 



FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 345 

But all with gladness hail the day 
Of true allegiance to our country. 

Thank heaven ! there are brave hearts and true, 
God knows them as the world ne'er knew, 
And men that dare to think and do, 

And fear no tyrant's prison bars. 
And there are souls, meek souls and wise, 
Some in frail bodies of small size, 
Some hunch-back, bowed, that in God's eyes 

Are taller than the red ripe stars. 

Thank heaven ! religion lights our sod 
And points us where Redeemer trod, 
And here reveals to man, his God, 

His nature and his destiny. 
And hke all conquering cohorts press 
The march of mind, with keenest zest, 
To make man's earthly home more blest, 

And solve time's every mystery. 

And deep in ocean's rocky bed. 

O'er monsters, and forgotten dead, 

Vy^arm thoughts from living breasts are sped. 

Electric as the lightning's pour. 
And land seems nearer unto land, 
And hand is closer stretched to hand 
In commerce, and the world doth stand 

Close neighbors talking at their door. 



346 FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 

Thank heaven ! our chivalry can prove 
We trust and honor woman's love 
A heritage of heaven above, 

A benediction on our history. 
Thank heaven ! we take a nobler stand 
Than in the orient Harem Land, 
Where she's the chattel of the man 

Who traffics in her destiny. 

Here she may show her brow of snow, 
Her dimpling cheeks, and eyes that glow. 
And unattended smiling go, 

Unveiled, unmasked without a fear. 
And every freeman's willing arm, 
A ready shield from wrong and harm. 
Her presence, heaven's living charm, 

And manhood scarce her noble peer. 

^ ^ 'K '1^ '{^ 'K <^ 'i^ 

Then trust our nation's future shocks 
Shall leave her firm as Corinth's rocks ; 
And Phoenix like to ne'er expire. 
But rise renewed from eveiy fire. 
And build enduring art and fame 
More potent than Athenas' name, 
Empurpled Tyre, or seven hilled Rome, 
Or Babylon in her ancient home ; 
Enduring as the earth and stars, 
Unhurt by fraud, unslain by wars. 



FOOTFRIXTS AND SHADOWS. 347 



THE DAY COMETH, ALSO THE NIGHT. 

Turn, turn O wheel of cycling Time ! 

Turn 'round and 'round O wheel of Fate I 
Bring floAvers from the summer clime; 

Bring treasures from the golden gate 
Of sunset seas. And more than these 

Bring blooming roses to the cheek. 
Let laughter ripple on the breeze, 

For youth is gay, and love will speak, 
And day is but the span of light, 
Proclaiming there will be a night. 

Turn 'round O wheel of fortune turn ! 

All things move in a cycle strange ; 
A cradle — then a solemn urn, 

And down the mystic groves of change, 
A varied lesson all must learn. 

Life passes like a shuttle's Hight, 
A little span of day between 

The shadows of the coming night. 
And darkness where it first was seen. 

All things move in a cycle strange ; 

The ripple of the laughing rill. 
The dew drop on the mountain range ; 

The cloudlet floating o'er the hill, 



348 FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 

Are but the varied steps of change. 

The seasons whirl through flowers and frost, 
From icy Winters come the Springs, 

The forms that change are never lost. 
Can matter have such subtle wings; 

And yet the soul, once God's own breath, 

Built up and shaped by his right hand. 
Must it pass through the shadow death, 

To find beyond no Border Land ? 
Must that which gives to matter life, 

And moulds it like the potter's clay. 
While matter lasts through change and strife. 

Must it's proud master fade away ; 
Or like the bird uncaged and free, 

Soar to bright worlds of destiny ? 

Life has its day ; its sombre night, 

Then comes another fairer day. 
Else why the angel hopes that write 

Their sweet dreams o'er our earthly way ? 
From heaven's far off jeweled towers, 

God hangs the stars like banners bright, 
And in the silent whispering hours. 

His voice is in their beams of light. 
Ye weary toilers on life's road ! 

Ye burdened hearts so strong and true — 
patience, a step, death hfts the load. 

And angel wings will come for you. 



FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 



349 



THE PAST AND FUTURE. 

The years have rolled their days of gold 

Along the path of time, 
While shimmering through the amber fold 

Of skies that bend sublime, 
The sun from out his bights of old 

Rides through his azure clime. 
And stirs the blaze upon his hearth 
To warm the circling face of earth. 

Who forged the fires upon his crest, 
The burnished armor on his breast, 
And sent him forth like knight of old, 
With dazzling shield of brightest gold 
Where day spreads forth her ambient sheen 
With space of darkness stretched between, 
And day and night, and gloom and light 
Wheel in their grooves of endless flight? 
Where goes he with his martial host 
Of glowing orbs whose grandest boast 
. Is that amid its cohorts far 

Upon a tempest driven star. 
There lives and treads its rock-ribbed crust 
A reasoning atom built of dust ? 



350 FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 

God rules and marshals all so well, 

They feel his wise mesmeric spell : 

" Let there be light." Light did appear 
And worlds gazed on a sun-lit sphere. 

And earth can whirl, and stars can sing, 
And time fly on a tireless wing 

Ten thousand times, ten thousand years, 

Regardless of man's smiles or tears. 
A million hearts that bow and mourn, 
A thousand worlds by earthquakes torn. 

Is but the programme to that bourn ; 

What bourn ? God knows. The end of years, 
The summing up of time and tears. 
When earth and time shall be no more. 

And souls like suns, shall shine and soar. 

The Past is but a name for Fate, 
Those hieroglyphics on the gate 

Of all the ages — what are they? 

A dream that had a living day. 
Go view the pyramids awhile ; 
Read, if thou canst, the Syhinx's smile 
Forever gazing on the Nile, 

Untie the Gordian knot, and see 

The Sybil's dream of destiny ; 
i\nd if thou hast the wizzard sight 
To turn earth's shadows into light, 



FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 351 

Tell of the hundred gated Thebes, 

The crumbling shrines like autumn leaves 
That strew the past. Of Memnon grand, 
Where Amnion strews the desert sand ; 

Unriddle all the fabled lore 

Of Egypt and the Sanscrit store. 

Earth's blazing altars, where are they? 

One varied chapter marks their day 
From Druid's elm and Juggernaut, 
Where Moloch's heated image wrought 

Destruction to its votaries. 

In superstition's blackening breeze 
Blind devotees have blindly striven 
To propitiate offended heaven. 

From Delphian oracles to hights 

Where Baal taught debasing rites, 
And Astoreth held her court of lust, 
And Mizraim worshipped reptile dust, 

Man has bowed down to lowest sod, 

And worshipped some false, unknown god ; 
Few knowing of the flame divine, 
Love's gospel, writ at Christian's shrine. 

War's common history covers all, 

From Nineveh to Plevna's fall ; 

Earth's kings and warriors of renown 
O'er bleaching bones marched to a crown, 

And few like Xerxes wept to know 



352 FOOTP HINTS AND SHADOWS. 

Their millions soon would march no more. 

Hannibal, Caesar, names that shine, 

And Alexander, slain by wine; 
Alaric, curse and scourge of man, 

And monsters such as Zingis Khan, 

And Nero, and a thousand more 
Were chiefly great in human gore. 
And cities sacked and maiden slaves, 

And wives wronged o'er their husband's graves. 

Is justice such as ages find 
Man metes out to his fellow kind. 

The Future, who can tell ? To me 

'Tis synonym of destiny. 

Yet this we know : Each heart shall bear 
Some faded dream, some cross of care 

From out the flight of waning years, 

And flowers of hope bedewed with tears 
Shall bloom for all. And we shall see 
O'er mountain hight and sunset sea, 

A prophecy of coming light, 

Beyond the gloom that shades the night. 

Earth is not a lone orphan star ; 

God's eye is on her from afar. 
She dances on beneath his gaze, 
While Autumns smile, and Summers blaze, 

And seasons tread their round of flowers, 

And mellow suns chase golden hours. 



FOO T PRINTS AND SHADO WS. 353 



THE MINSTREL'S FAREWELL. 

The harp is silent, still its strings 
Vibrating o'er the spirit flings, 
The soul-touch of its lingerings. 

The echo of its minstrelsy. 
Long ages since creation rang 
And all the stars of morning sang, 
Still, they in dropping beauty hang, 

A song to all eternity. 

If it shall cause one soul to seek 

And prize the flush on beauty's cheek, 

And sun his soul in love and speak 

New life to its immortal fire ; 
'Tis not in vain his harp he strung, 

'lis not in vain the minstrel flung. 
Some heart-drops from his bosom wrung, 

Upon his trembhng untaught lyre. 

Love was his motto, love his theme, 
Fantastic was its wandering beam, 
And shadows fitted through its dream 

The wonders of its mystery. 
'Twas sad ; 'twas gay ; it taught to pray ; 
'Twas beauteous as the flowers of May; 



354 FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 

It wished to stay, to fly away, 
God knows alone its history. 

Like harp yEohan ; good and true, 

God's winds must blow him through and through, 

'Till polished like a drop of dew, 

Who dares the flights of minstrelsy. 
Who hath the great magician touch, 
That souls entranced may wonder much, 
At new creations grandly such, 

Must tune and strike it fearlessly. 

Who nobly does, must nobly think, 
The soul that soars can never sink. 
And man 's a strange connecting link, 

Between frail dust and Deity. 
A starlight straying through the gloom, 
A flower blooming o'er the tomb, 
A spirit fearless of all doom. 

Is his blest immortality. 

Life's span is short, and duties throng. 
Like steel-clad warriors deft and strong, 
And who would wake persuasive song, 

Before a critic callous world. 
Perchance some note of simple strain. 
May cheer the heart that's sad with pain, 
Then silence and oblivion reign. 

Sole victors, with their banners furled. 



FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 355 

To be a while like those who've died, 
To tread the earth and see its pride. 
To mix where strife and mammon vied, 

If his and duty's chivalry. 
Yet knows like Druid sad and lone, 
Or Santon in his hut of stone, 
This earth, though 'twere a diamond throne, 

Is not worth half its rivalry. 

Joy stirred the song, ambitions grand. 
And fancy spread her rainbow land, 
And sorrow took him by the hand, 

So varied is Hfe's fleeting spell. 
It led him where the sunlight fades. 
Beside the gloomy Stygian shades, 
Where dust is heaped with silent spades, 

And lips sigh back no last farewell. 

Like eagles that in silence bow 
On lonely crag, or mountain brow, 
He's watched with kind indifferene, how 
The world's great play goes bravely on. 
Hopes banners wave with tears wet through. 
Pride struts, and merit lacks her due, 
The many toiling for the few, 
Dim starlight and the circling sun. 

He saw the bows, and meek salaams. 

Of fawning hearts, that strewed their palms. 



356 FO T PRINTS AND SHADO WS. 

Before the shoddy tinseled shams 

Of fiction's base and timbreled lies. 
And slavish knees that bent to pride, 
And banded pelf, and theft whose stride, 
Was giant-like, and heaven defied, 
And few avenge, and none despise. 

But none are perfect, no not one, 
There's even spots upon the sun. 
And few life's checkered course can run, 

Who hath no need of charity. 
Life's joys too, like her years are few. 
Between the thorns the rose peeps through, 
And little pleasures like the dew, 

Best soften its asperity. 

Learn to forgive ; thy frailties own ; 
Forgiveness never had been known, 
Had man ne'er sined, law stood alone, 

And mercy first was found in heaven. 
Of which bold Lucifer ne'er dreamed, 
Nor fallen seraphim. O'er them gleamed 
Unpardoning wrath ; and such they deemed 

Man's fate from Eden driven. 

O'er God's grand temple doth entwine 
This law. He rules by right divine 
Who rules by love. Thus he doth define 
The tyranny of sceptered power. 



FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 

Home is man's kingdom. 'Neath its wing 
Sweet comforts smile and pleasures sting — 
There every man's a patriarch king, 

With jeweled empress and loves dower. 

He scanned the past from early dawn, 
The world slow marching on and on. 
The Present, like a giant born. 

That leaps strong-armed into the fray. 
No hoary wizard harper he, 
And yet the future, like a sea, 
Spread on his sight, the grand ro be, 

Ere time shall close her hastening day. 

When earth shall throb with aching breast, 
From swarming vale to mountain crest 
With myriad souls ; and life the test 

Of science mixed with toil and tears. 
Man's brotherhood shall close the wars, 
With policy and cunning jars. 
And knowledge front the solemn stars, 

And learn the mystery of the years. 

Like pilgrims on Sahara's strand, 
Who chase a mirage o'er the sand, 
And grasping, find but dust in hand. 

And cheated fall across their graves ; 
The simoon on life's desert plain, 
The strife for bliss we do not gain, 



35- 



358 FOOTPRINTS AND SHADOWS. 

The blight of hope, the sting of pain ; 
But sweeten death's cold chilling waves. 

Harp of the soul ! thy cords are strung 
By the hand of Fate. Life's song is sung 
'Twixt smiles and tears, from the stars among, 

To the dusky depths vibrating. 
While the world's at play, the world so gay. 
And few *vill pause to think or pray, 
Till passions' clamor ends the day. 

Where a dreamless night is waiting. 

In the bliss to be, the soul is free. 

And the hand of Fate by the crystal sea. 

No more can tune thy minstrelsy 

In the isles of the far off shore. 
But they'll waft their songs with a sweet refrain, 
To hearts that moan like the sobbing main, 
'Till they fear no pain, but climb to gain 

The peerless hights where the soul can soar. 

The echoes die, the harp is still. 
Its cadence hath no power to thrill, 
'Twas music caught from yonder rill, 

'That sunbeams kissed and let it fall. 
It came, it went — its music blent 
With shadows of the firmament, 
The end is silence. God hath meant 

That SILENCE soon shall come to all. 



